Q: I am a microbiology student. I want to know whether the HIV virus can be transmitted through sweat, tears and saliva, if yes, then how?

A:All body fluids of a person living with the virus (HIV infected persons) have some virus present. However the virus content in sweat and tears is very low and does not normally present a risk to others. Saliva also has the virus and there is a theoretical possibility of infection. However there is likely to be more virus due to blood in the mouth than from saliva. Blood in small quantities is often found in the mouth from small injuries due to brushing or chewing hard substances. One of the common sources of blood in the mouth cavity is from infections of the gums.