Sexually Transmitted Infections

Can HIV be transmitted through hugging, shaking hands or mosquito bites?

HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact, such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or by sharing food, clothing, and toilet seats. Even open-mouthed kissing does not spread HIV, as there are only trace amounts of the virus present in the mouth and other components of saliva help to neutralise them. The virus dies after a short time away from the body, so it can not be on these other surfaces or parts of the body. HIV can only be transmitted through infected bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, or vaginal fluid, entering the body. Mosquitoes cannot transmit HIV, either, as at no point does blood from a previously bitten person enter the newly bitten person through the mosquito and mosquitos, by nature, are unable to replicate HIV in their body.