Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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The New York Times - June 8, 2004
C. Claiborne Ray
A. Saliva by itself is not known to spread H.I.V., but the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases urges caution when kissing anyway.
"Although researchers have found H.I.V. in the saliva of infected people, there is no evidence that the virus is spread by contact with saliva," the agency's Web site says. "Laboratory studies reveal that saliva has natural properties that limit the power of H.I.V. to infect. Research studies of people infected with H.I.V. have found no evidence that the virus is spread to others through saliva by kissing."
The chief risk of being infected with H.I.V. is exposure to blood with infected immune-system cells. Semen, breast milk and vaginal fluids can also spread infected cells. Although the Web site calls open-mouth kissing very low risk for transmission, it cautions that no one knows whether exchanging large amounts of saliva increases the risk of infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported finding one case that suggested that a woman became infected through exposure to contaminated blood amid open-mouth kissing with a sex partner. Kissing that damages the mouth or lips could let the virus enter the body through mouth sores or cuts. The C.D.C. recommends caution in kissing an infected partner.
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