 HIV can be transmitted by any type of sexual contact (anal, penis-to-rectum; vaginal, penis-to-vagina; or oral, mouth-to-penis, -vagina or -rectum), by blood-to-blood contact, including shooting drugs and sharing needles, or by a woman to her baby either before or during birth or through breastfeeding. HIV is not transmitted through any type of casual contact, nor by insects or animals. Bodily Fluids HIV can live only in certain fluids of the human body. These fluids are blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. Saliva, sweat, urine and tears do not spread the virus because they do not have enough white blood cells for the virus to grow and survive. How the Virus Spreads In order for the virus to spread, it must be present in a person's bloodstream and then be passed into the bloodstream of another person. This can occur through specific "high-risk" behaviors, detailed below. Risk Behaviors People are at risk for HIV infection when they participate in behaviors in which the exchange of bodily fluids is possible. Two risky behaviors are having unprotected sex with an infected person and sharing needles. Unprotected Sex Unprotected sex, or sex without latex or polyurethane condoms, can let HIV enter the blood. Vaginal, anal and oral sex each can transmit HIV. In an infected man, the semen (male sexual fluid) has a high amount of HIV. Semen can pass HIV from one person to another during unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. The virus can go through the lining of the vagina, anus or mouth into a person's bloodstream. In women, vaginal fluids and menstrual blood can pass the virus to another person. Sharing Needles Sharing needles to inject intravenous (IV) drugs is a high-risk behavior that can pass HIV directly from an infected person's bloodstream to someone who is not infected. People who use needles of any kind, legal or illegal, must use new needles or clean those that have already been used. Cleaning needles involves soaking them in bleach, then rinsing them in water several times before each use. This also includes syringes, cookers, and needles for tattoos and piercing. Other Ways HIV is Spread Pregnant women with HIV can pass the virus to their unborn or newborn babies during pregnancy, delivery or while breast-feeding. The infected mother's blood and milk can carry HIV. If a woman is pregnant or thinks she might be pregnant and has participated in risky behaviors, she should be tested for HIV. An infected pregnant woman can greatly reduce the chance that her baby will be born infected by taking antiretroviral medications, after consultation with her doctor and with a doctor's prescription. Blood Transfusions Since 1985, all donated blood and blood products are screened for HIV. The risk of HIV infection through a blood transfusion is almost zero. Donating blood poses no risk because blood is drawn using sterile needles that have never been used. How HIV is NOT Spread HIV is not spread through casual contact such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands or using dishes or utensils used by someone with HIV. Objects (e.g., toilet seats and doorknobs) and animals (e.g., cats, dogs, mosquitoes) do not transmit HIV. |
HIV/AIDS - We Make The Change | ||||||
 |
||||||
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
||||||
| SitemapHomeAboutCampaignPreventionMen Who Have Sex With MenWomen & ChildrenHotlineNews/Events | ||||||
