HIV does not survive long outside the human body (such as on surfaces), and it cannot reproduce outside a human host. It is not spread by

• Mosquitoes, ticks, or other insects.
• Saliva, tears, or sweat that is not mixed with the blood of an HIV-positive person.
• Hugging, shaking hands, sharing toilets, sharing dishes, or closed-mouth or “social” kissing with someone who is HIV-positive.
• Other sexual activities that don’t involve the exchange of body fluids (for example, touching).