Does AIDS Die When Exposed to the Air?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). AIDS is not a virus, it is a diagnosis made when someone has very few T-cells or one of several illnesses determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is HIV and not AIDS that replicates in the body and is transmissible.

Transmission

• HIV can be transmitted through oral, anal or vaginal sexual contact; direct blood contact with someone who has HIV; and from mother to child during birth or breastfeeding.

Airborne Transmission

• HIV is not transmitted through the air. HIV is a fragile virus and does not last long in normal conditions outside the human body.

HIV and Air Exposure

• Air does not “kill” the HIV virus; instead, when fluid containing the virus is exposed to air, it dries up. This will destroy most of the virus quickly.

Time

• According to the CDC and San Francisco AIDS Foundation, drying HIV reduces the viral amount by 90 to 99 percent within several hours.

Prevention

• You should always wear latex gloves if you may come into contact with blood that may contain HIV. Blood should be cleaned with soap and water followed by bleach.