Transmission

How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is found in blood and other body fluids, for example semen and vaginal fluids.  HIV cannot live for a long period of time outside the body so for a person to be infected they need some body fluid (blood, semen or vaginal fluids) to get inside of their body. 
The most frequent ways that HIV is passed from person to person are:

  • Having unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner
  • Injecting drugs using a needle or syringe that has previously been used by somebody who is infected
  • As a baby of an infected mother, during pregnancy, labour or delivery, or through breastfeeding

Although the above are the most common ways HIV is transmitted, a complete list is included below:

  • Vaginal Sex
  • Anal Sex
  • Oral Sex
  • Injecting Drugs
  • Mother to Child Transmission
  • Blood Transfusions
  • Blood Products
  • Infections in Health Care Settings
  • Tattoos & Piercing

How isn’t HIV transmitted?
While it is important to protect yourself from contracting HIV is it also important to realize ways in which HIV cannot be spread.  The reason this is so important is so that people who are infected with HIV do not experience isolation due to their infection.

  • The following is a list of how HIV cannot be transmitted:
  • Kissing
  • Sneezing, Coughing, Sharing Glasses or Cups
  • Insects
  • Injecting Drugs with Sterile Needles
  • Protected Sex

(AVERT, 2009)


How to protect yourself from getting infected with HIV
There are many ways in which people can protect themselves from HIV.  Some people may choose to be abstinent from sexual intercourse or delay losing their virginity.  If you do choose to have sex, try to limit the amount of partners that you have and be faithful to the people you are in a relationship with.  It is very important to always remember to wear a new condom each and every time that you have sex and this includes oral and anal sex. 
If you choose to inject yourself with drugs, ensure that you use a clean needle every time and do not share needles with anyone even if you think that they are HIV negative.   
To prevent infection from a mother to child it is key to test all pregnant women for HIV so that they can begin the course of antiretroviral drugs.  By starting the drugs early, the chance of the baby becoming infected is greatly reduced. 
(AVERT, 2009)
An easy way to remember how to protect yourself from HIV infection is to remember this acronym:
A = Abstinence                
B= Be Faithful
C= Condoms
(CDC, 2008)