AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is transmitted through direct contact with certain body fluids from a person who has HIV. The main ways to get HIV, which can ultimately lead to AIDS if untreated, include:
- Having anal or vaginal sex without protection (condoms or preventive medicine) with someone who has HIV.
- Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment with someone who has HIV.
- Being exposed to infected blood through transfusions (rare in screened blood supplies) or accidental needle sticks.
- Transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
HIV is transmitted through blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (precum), vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk. The virus must enter the bloodstream through mucous membranes (in the rectum, vagina, penis, or mouth), open cuts, sores, or by direct injection for transmission to occur. HIV is not spread through casual contact such as hugging, shaking hands, or sharing food and water. People with HIV who have an undetectable viral load due to treatment cannot transmit the virus through sex.
In summary, AIDS develops as a result of untreated HIV infection, which can be contracted primarily through certain sexual activities, sharing needles, and from mother to child.
