HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is transmitted through direct contact with certain body fluids from a person who has HIV and a detectable viral load. These fluids include blood, semen (including pre-seminal fluid), vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk
. The main ways HIV can be transmitted are:
- Sexual contact : Having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who has HIV is the most common way HIV is spread. The virus can enter the bloodstream through mucous membranes or small cuts and sores in the genital, anal, or rectal areas
- Sharing needles or injection equipment : Using needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment that has been contaminated with HIV-infected blood can transmit the virus
- Mother-to-child transmission : HIV can be passed from an HIV-positive mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
Less common or rare ways HIV might be transmitted include:
- Oral sex, especially if there are cuts, sores, or bleeding gums in the mouth, though the risk is much lower than with vaginal or anal sex
- Blood transfusions or organ transplants from an infected donor, though this risk is extremely low in countries where blood and organs are rigorously tested
- Severe biting that breaks the skin and involves blood contact, though this is very rare
HIV is not transmitted through saliva, sweat, urine, tears, casual contact like hugging or shaking hands, coughing, sneezing, sharing eating utensils, or closed-mouth kissing
. In summary, HIV is transmitted only through specific body fluids entering the bloodstream or mucous membranes, mainly via unprotected sex, sharing injection equipment, or mother-to-child transmission
