HIV Transmission: Understanding How HIV Spreads

There are three main ways that HIV can be transmitted:

1. Contact with infected blood. This can occur through:

* Sharing needles or syringes with someone who is infected with HIV

* Receiving blood transfusions or organ transplants from someone who is infected with HIV

* Being stuck with a needle that is contaminated with infected blood

2. Contact with infected bodily fluids. This can occur through:

* Unprotected sex with someone who is infected with HIV

* Contact with semen, vaginal fluids, or rectal fluids of someone who is infected with HIV

* Sharing sex toys with someone who is infected with HIV

3. From an infected mother to her baby. This can occur during:

* Pregnancy

* Labor and delivery

* Breastfeeding

It's important to note that HIV is not transmitted through casual contact, such as touching, hugging, or kissing someone who is infected with HIV.