No. Most of the skin covering our bodies is protected by a wax-like coating called keratin. Sexually transmitted infections like HIV are unable to penetrate intact skin because of this layer—even if a person is sweating.
It’s also helpful to know that HIV doesn’t live very long outside the body. Exposure to air dries the fluid that contains the virus, which destroys or breaks up the virus very quickly. According to the Center for Disease Control, drying HIV reduces the viral load (amount of the virus present) by 90-99% within a few hours. Many common substances—including hot water, bleach, alcohol, and soap—can kill HIV. And remember: HIV is not transmitted through saliva, sweat, urine, or tears.
Most HIV transmissions occur through mucous membranes, which are interior parts of the body not covered by keratin. Body parts used for sexual activity–like the throat, vagina, penis head, urethra, and anus–are all mucous membranes, which is why HIV is considered a sexually transmitted infection.
However, be aware: HIV and certain other STIs can spread through mucous membranes not traditionally used in sexual activity, like the eyes and nostrils, as well as through cuts or sores on the body. Be sure to communicate with your partners about their sexual histories to understand the risk of transmission. And get tested regularly to make sure you’re healthy! At Teen Clinic, we have free and confidential HIV testing the first Tuesday of the month in Boulder, from 4-7, and the third Wednesday of the month in Longmont, from 3:30-5:30.
