The risk of HIV infection being transmitted by the oral route

Abstract

This review show that HIV is present infrequently in saliva, and when detected the amount is very small. The density of HIV cells in saliva has been estimated to be less than one viral particle per millilitre of saliva. In addition, salive has anti-viral properties, which inhibit the infectivity of HN-1. These findings are consistent with epidemiological data, which have failed to support a role of saliva in transmission of HIV. Apparently, the risk of HIV infection being transmitted by the oral route is small. This information should serve to alleviate fears and concerns of the rapidly growing number of household members and other close. contacts of patients with AIDS, professionals attending these patients, as well as the population at large. Conceivably, understanding the nature of salivary anti-viral activity may be useful in developing therapeutic measures to control HIV-l infection.