There’s a lot of stigma and misinformation around HIV so you’re not alone in having questions. We’re here to help!
When does HIV transmission occur?
In most cases, HIV transmission between adults happens during unprotected penetrative sex. HIV is very fragile and cannot survive for long outside the human body. It’s also possible for HIV to be transmitted when people share needles to inject substances, and from people to their baby through pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
It’s important to note that HIV can only be transmitted when someone has a detectable viral load. If a person living with HIV is on effective medication, HIV cannot be transmitted. This includes during sex, when sharing needles, and between a parent and their baby.
It is possible to get HIV when…
It is possible to get HIV if the condom breaks or comes off during sex
If you have sex and the condom slips off or breaks, this can transmit HIV. If this happens, we recommend visiting an accident and emergency department, sexual health clinic or pharmacy to discuss your options such as taking PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) as well as discussing care you might want to consider for other STIs or to prevent pregnancy. You can find your nearest clinic here.
It is possible to get HIV even if you’re only exposed once
You can get HIV the first time you’re exposed, even if you’re only exposed once. The risk increases with more frequent exposure, but if you think it’s possible you might have contracted HIV, talk to your local clinic about accessing PEP, or arranging an HIV test.
It is possible to get HIV from period blood
Blood, including period blood, can transmit HIV. If their blood entered your mouth, or your body through a cut (on your finger, for example), you could get HIV. Note – you can’t get HIV through touching dried blood. Once blood leaves the body, HIV dies very quickly.
It is possible to get HIV if you’re straight
Anyone can get or transmit HIV, regardless of sexual orientation.
It is possible, but unlikely, to get HIV when…
It is possible to get HIV from oral sex
HIV transmission through oral sex is low but not impossible. This is because semen (cum) and pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), rectal fluids and vaginal fluids can all contain HIV.
It is unlikely, but possible, for HIV to be transmitted especially if the person giving oral sex has a sore throat, mouth infection or wound in their mouth, or if the person receiving oral sex has a cut, sore or inflammation on their genitals.
To reduce the risk of getting HIV from oral sex, you can:
- Use barrier protection, like condoms, female condoms or dental dams
- Avoid getting semen in your mouth
- Avoid flossing, using mouthwash or brushing your teeth before or just after oral sex; chew gum or rub toothpaste on your teeth instead
- Avoid oral sex if the person giving has recently had dental work or their gums bleed a lot
It is possible to get HIV from fingering, fisting or sex toys
HIV transmission through fingering or fisting is not possible under typical circumstances. Skin acts as a barrier to the HIV virus, so you can’t get or spread HIV through skin contact with a partner’s vagina, front hole, or anus.
The hypothetical risk appears only when bodily fluids containing HIV from one person are introduced into their partner’s body. This could happen if there is an open wound or cum on the inserted finger(s), or if there are more than two people involved and the person doing the fingering doesn’t wash their hands in between partners. It’s still very unlikely, but to mitigate any risk, you can:
- Ask your partner/s to wash their hands before fingering or fisting
- Use barrier protection, such as latex gloves, and swap to a fresh pair between partners
- Avoid fingering or fisting when there are open wounds on the hands of the person giving, or on the genitals of the person receiving
Fisting can cause small tears in the vagina and anus, which makes HIV transmission more likely if it’s followed by unprotected penetrative sex. If you use oil-based lubricant for fisting, any remaining lube can damage latex condoms in penetrative sex later on. Use water- or silicone-based lube instead, or switch to polyurethane condoms. When toys are shared between partners, it is possible to spread HIV by bringing one partner’s semen, vaginal or anal fluids, or blood into contact with another partner’s genitals, mouth or an open wound.
This is not a common way of transmitting HIV, but to ensure safe shared sex toy use, use condoms for insertable toys and dental dams for vibrator or suction toys, replacing with a new barrier between partners. Where it isn’t possible to use barriers, wash toys in between partners and avoid using toys made from porous materials.
So, now you know- HIV is mainly transmitted during penetrative sex without barrier protection, and the best way to prevent transmission is to get tested regularly, know your status, use condoms and access PrEP if you need it. You can also check out our other article: Can I get HIV from…? All the ways you CAN’T get HIV for more myth-busting around HIV transmission.
