HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) fact sheet

How it spreads

HIV only spreads through direct contact with infected blood and body fluids, usually through needle puncture, broken skin, or a break in the mucous membranes. In Australia, most HIV infections are caused by:

• unprotected sex with a person not on HIV treatment (people on effective HIV treatment cannot pass on HIV during sex)
• sharing drug-injecting equipment
• spread of the virus from mother to infant during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding
• receiving blood or blood products before screening for HIV was introduced in 1985.

HIV does not spread through:

• social contact in schools, at home, or in the workplace
• air or water
• swimming pools or toilets
• sharing of plates, cups or cutlery
• kissing, coughing, sneezing or spitting
• mosquitoes or other biting insects

Exclusion period

Not excluded - people with HIV can attend the service.

If the person is severely immunocompromised, they will be vulnerable to other people's infections.

Actions for educators and other staff

Maintain confidentiality if a child or staff member has HIV.

Use standard precautions for handling blood and other body fluids at all times - you may not know if people are carrying the virus.

Cover open wounds with a waterproof dressing (like a plastic adhesive strip).

Actions for parents and carers

Talk to your doctor about treatment and precautions for your child to attend a care service.

Children with HIV are more likely to get severe infections than other children, so vaccination is especially important. Ask your doctor about which vaccines your child should get.

You may choose to tell educators or other staff if your child has HIV, but you do not have to. 

Keep children with HIV at home when there are outbreaks of infectious diseases at the service.

Cover open wounds with a waterproof dressing (like a plastic adhesive strip).

More information about HIV

See healthdirect for more information on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV.

To find out if a child needs medical help, you can:

• use the health direct online symptom checker
• speak to a registered nurse by calling their 24-hour health advice hotline on 1800 022 222.