Which body fluids are infectious?

The risk of HIV transmission is related to different factors.

These include:

• Which body fluids are infectious.
• How infection occurs – the ‘route’ of infection.
• Other risk factors – including viral load, type of sex, genetics etc.

Only some body fluids have the potential to be infectious.

In someone not taking HIV treatment (ART), these include:

• Sexual fluids (semen and vaginal fluid).
• Mucus from the vagina and anus.
• Blood.
• Drinking breastmilk is infectious to a baby but not to an adult.
• Tears (from crying) might be a theoretical risk. This is unlikely to be an actual risk.
• Saliva, spit, urine and faeces are not infectious for HIV.

HIV positive people taking effective ART are NOT sexually infectious. (See U=U).

Last updated: 1 June 2021.