| Practice |
Risk |
Notes |
| Abstinence |
No risk |
|
| Masturbation |
No risk |
|
| Sex with a monogamous, uninfected
partner |
No risk |
It is difficult to know
if partner is monogamous and uninfected. |
| Unshared sex toys |
No risk |
|
| Shaking hands with an HIV-infected
person |
No risk |
|
| Sitting on a public toilet
seat |
No risk |
|
| Getting bitten by a mosquito |
No risk |
|
| Massage |
No risk |
|
| Hugging an HIV-positive
person |
No risk |
|
| Sharing sex toys with cleaning
or use of new condom |
Low risk/No risk |
|
| Sexual stimulation of another’s
genitals using hands |
Low risk/No risk |
Risk
is very low if there are no cuts or broken skin on hands, especially
if there is no contact with secretions, semen, or menstrual blood. |
| Deep (tongue) kissing |
Low risk/No risk |
Risk
is higher if bleeding gums, sores, or cuts in mouth. No risk due to
saliva itself. |
| Oral sex on a woman (cunnilingus)
with a barrier |
Low risk/No risk |
Risk
is very low. Barrier must be used correctly. Some STIs (e.g., herpes)
can be transmitted though contact with skin not covered by barrier. |
| Oral sex on a man (fellatio)
with a condom |
Low risk/No risk |
Risk
is very low. Barrier must be used correctly. Some STIs (e.g., herpes)
can be transmitted though contact with skin not covered by barrier. |
| Vaginal sex with a condom |
Low risk |
Small risk of condom slippage
or breakage—reduced with correct use. Some STIs (e.g., herpes)
can be transmitted though contact with skin not covered by condom. |
| Vaginal sex with multiple
partners; condom use every time |
Low risk |
Multiple partners increases
risk; however, correct and consistent condom use lowers risk. |
| Anal sex with a condom |
Medium risk |
Risk
of condom breakage greater than for vaginal sex. Some STIs (e.g.,
herpes) can be transmitted though contact with skin not covered by
barrier. |
| Oral sex on a man (fellatio)
without a condom |
Medium risk |
HIV and STIs can be transmitted
through oral sex; however, risk is lower than that of anal or vaginal
sex. Safer if no ejaculation in mouth. |
| Oral sex on a woman (cunnilingus)
without a barrier |
Medium risk |
HIV and STIs can be transmitted
through oral sex; however, risk is lower than for anal or vaginal
sex. |
| Vaginal sex using spermicides
or diaphragm and no condoms |
High risk/ Reduced risk |
Spermicides may reduce transmission
of HIV and STIs compared to unprotected vaginal sex. Very frequent
use of spermicides (multiple times in single day) can damage tissues,
increasing risk. Diaphragms can also reduce risk of some STIs. |
| Withdrawal |
High risk/ Reduced risk |
HIV can be present in pre-ejaculate
and, therefore, risk of transmission is high; however, withdrawal
may reduce risk of HIV transmission somewhat. Unlikely to reduce risk
of other STIs. |
| Vaginal sex without a condom |
High risk |
One of the highest-risk
activities. Receptive partner is at greater risk. |
| Anal sex without a condom |
High risk |
One of the highest-risk
activities. Receptive partner is at greater risk. |
| Vaginal sex using hormonal
contraceptives or IUD and no condom |
High risk |
Hormonal contraceptives
and IUDs do not protect against STIs or HIV. |
| Using sharp instruments
to cut skin (e.g., instruments used for scarification, female genital
cutting, tattoos) |
High risk |
If these instruments have
been used on others and are not properly processed, HIV and hepatitis
viruses could be transmitted. |
| Sharing needles, syringes,
drugs, or other drug paraphernalia |
High risk |
HIV and hepatitis viruses
can readily be transmitted from infected person through sharing of
injection drug works. |
| Breastfeeding from an HIV-infected
mother |
High risk |
Although risk is relatively
high, if no other good source of nutrition is available, it is recommended
that HIV-positive women breastfeed. |
| Making love to your spouse |
Unknown risk |
It may be difficult to know
whether your spouse engages in activities that put you at risk. |
| Receiving blood transfusion |
Unknown risk |
In many countries, the blood
supply is adequately screened for HIV. |
| Occupational exposure to
blood or body fluids |
Varies depending on
exposure |
HIV and other pathogens
can be transmitted through contact with blood or other body fluids.
risk can be minimized if standard precautions are followed with all
clients. |
