Can you get AIDS when exposed to contaminated spitting?

Question

Hi doctor,

I was really scared. Yesterday I sat in a cop's car. After we left the cop car, the cop told me someone who might have AIDS had bloody gums and spit everywhere in the backseat, so I changed my clothes and washed my hands. Still, I forgot to change my underwear, so four to five hours later, my butt itched, I scratched, and I accidentally opened up a scab, but I did not think about it too much. I went to bed, but I am scared now that I could have HIV. I am unsure if I sat in spit, but I am only 18 years old, and I am super scared. I do not want to get AIDS. Can you please tell me how long HIV survives with saliva?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your risk is unwarranted in this case. HIV can not survive in the environment. HIV cannot be transmitted by spitting, hugging, or kissing. Besides, saliva has antiviral factors which kill the virus.

HIV can only be transmitted by sexual contact (anal, vaginal, or oral), through the exchange of contaminated syringes or needles, blood transfusion, or there can be vertical transmission from an HIV-infected mother to her child during pregnancy, delivery, or through breast milk.

I hope your query is answered, but if you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to ask or call anytime.

Thank you.