Which statement is true regarding the survival of HIV outside the body?

The statement about HIV being easily killed by environmental factors is accurate. HIV does not survive well outside the human body and is highly susceptible to degradation by various environmental conditions. Factors such as exposure to air, higher temperatures, ultraviolet light, and disinfectants can quickly inactivate the virus. This is important for understanding transmission risk; it emphasizes that HIV is not a resilient virus when it is outside its host and highlights the importance of safe handling practices in healthcare settings and the community.

Other statements suggest misconceptions about the virus's viability. For example, the idea that HIV can survive for several hours on surfaces underestimates how quickly environmental factors can compromise the virus. Similarly, the notion that HIV can be transmitted through casual contact overlooks the specific transmission routes required for the virus to spread, which typically involve direct exchange of certain bodily fluids. Lastly, the idea that HIV can live indefinitely outside the body fails to recognize the virus's vulnerable nature to environmental conditions.