HIV - The Basics

Where is HIV?

If a man has HIV the virus is usually passed on in his:

• blood
• cum

HIV could also be picked up from pre-cum, the clear fluid that comes from your cock when you're turned on. The virus is also found in anal mucus, the slimy lining of the inside of the arse

HIV isn't found in high enough levels to infect someone in:

• spit
• tears
• piss
• sweat

What kind of fucking is risky?

There's a risk in any fucking that lets infected blood or cum (pre-cum or anal mucus too) into another man's body - and then into his bloodstream.

The vast majority of us who get HIV pick it up from fucking or getting fucked without condoms. A smaller number get it from sucking someone off.

There have been no reported cases of anyone getting HIV from:

• kissing
• 'water sports' or rimming someone.

Two men wanking each other is safe as long as they don't use each other's cum as lube.

Is HIV easily passed on?

Compared to other infections HIV isn't that easy to pick up. Even the highest risk sex - fucking without condoms - might not always pass the virus on. Although HIV isn't passed on every time you take a risk, there's a chance it could be passed on anytime you take one.

Some things make it more likely; for example, the chances are very high during unprotected sex with someone who's only had HIV for a few weeks or months. This website tells you what you need to know about what makes things less or more risky.

• This article was last reviewed on: 18/10/11
• Date due for next review: 18/10/13