The virus has been detected in saliva, but it is unlikely that infection can be transmitted by kissing unless, for example, both people have cuts in the mouth or bleeding gums. To reduce the possibility of infection users should not use someone else s toothbrush and should maintain good oral hygiene. When it does occur it is not known whether this happens in the womb, during delivery or immediately after the birth. Babies are sometimes found to have antibodies to the virus but these usually disappear by the time the baby is 12 to 18 months old, which shows that the antibodies are acquired from the mother and that the baby has never been infected with the virus. Doctors do not yet know if the disease that occurs when a baby is infected will go on to become serious.
Infected mothers are often concerned about passing the virus on to their other children.
As long as the precautions listed on page 11 are followed, household transmission is a low risk. Kissing and cuddling a child is safe. Most doctors consider breast feeding to be safe. In theory infection could be possible if a mother has cracked nipples which bleed and a baby has a cut in the mouth. There is no certain method of cleaning needles, syringes and drug paraphernalia that will guarantee no risk.