Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

MSM and HIV
Different fluids have different quantities of HIV. There are high amounts of
HIV in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk so it is easy to transmit
HIV through these fluids. There is very little HIV in urine, feces, and saliva, so
you cannot get HIV through these fluids. There is no HIV in sweat or tears.
You cannot get HIV through ordinary casual contact, e.g., touching, sitting
beside, or sharing a room, food, or towels with a person with HIV.
Some people think that limiting contact with a person living with HIV, e.g.,
not touching, putting into a separate room, or keeping separate food, plates,
or clothing, helps to protect themselves against HIV. These practices of
limiting contact with a people living with HIV are not a form of protection, since
HIV is not transmitted in this way. These practices are stigmatizing. They make
the person feel unwanted, unloved, despised, and rejected.
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