HIV is not usually transmitted through towels because with normal towel use, the towel will only be stained with someone’s sweat, or a portion of snot or saliva. These bodily fluids that are stained are not contagious even if they come into contact with other people because the amount of HIV is relatively small. HIV, if it is on the towel for a longer period of time, will also be inactivated and not contagious. If the towel is contaminated with the blood of a person with AIDS, or with some semen or vaginal secretions, these bodily fluids may contain a slightly higher amount of HIV. If such a towel comes into contact with one’s mucous membranes or a broken wound, only then can it be infectious. However, normal towel use will not be contaminated with these body fluids that contain high concentrations of HIV. Therefore, there is generally no need to worry about contagion when sharing towels with HIV patients.