Information HIV TransmissionApril 28, 2017 Table of Contents How HIV SpreadsMany people still do not understand how HIV is passed, or transmitted, from one person to another. Knowing the basics helps you avoid becoming HIV-positive. If you are HIV-positive, these basics help you avoid exposing someone else to HIV. The spread of HIV can be prevented! There are ways to avoid, or at least reduce, contact with body fluids that transmit HIV. This fact sheet explains how. HIV is transmitted, or spread, through contact with the following body fluids:
HIV is also spread through contact with these body fluids; however, usually only health care workers come into contact with these fluids. These fluids are:
HIV is not spread through contact with these body fluids:
In other words, you cannot get HIV by touching or hugging someone who is living with HIV, kissing someone living with HIV, drinking or eating from the same cups or utensils as a person living with HIV, or by using a toilet also used by someone living with HIV. Methods of TransmissionToday, the most common ways HIV is passed from one person to another are:
Re-Using and Sharing Needles for Injecting Drugs
Unprotected/Unsafe SexEvery sexual act (oral, anal, or vaginal) involving sexual fluids has at least some risk. Barriers, such as condoms (male and female), dental dams (thin squares of latex), and latex or nitrile gloves help reduce risk substantially For people living with HIV, taking HIV drugs can also reduce the risk of HIV transmission to others. HIV drugs can reduce their viral load to undetectable levels. This makes it virtually impossible for their blood, vaginal fluids, breast milk, and semen (cum) to pass HIV on to others. For people who are HIV-negative, taking HIV drugs as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce their risk of becoming HIV+ if they are exposed to HIV. For more information on PrEP, please see our fact sheet on PrEP for women. These methods are part of what is known as HIV treatment as prevention (TasP). TasP does not prevent transmission of other sexually transmitted infections or diseases (STIs or STDs). Please see our fact sheet on TasP for more information. Unsafe sex (sex without condoms, other barriers, or treatment-as-prevention methods) puts you and/or your partner at risk for HIV or other STIs or STDs. Safer sex (sex using condoms, other barriers, and/or treatment-as-prevention methods consistently and correctly) is the most effective way to protect you and your partner. Which common sexual activities are most likely to cause HIV transmission when safer sex is not used? Listed from most to least risky:
Sexual assault or rape can result in transmission if the attacker is living with HIV. The risk increases when rape involves anal penetration, force, and/or multiple attackers. Some forced sexual acts involving wounds can place a victim at very high risk. Survivors of sexual assault or rape who do not already have HIV should be routinely offered PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis; also called non-occupational PEP, or nPEP) in emergency rooms. This 28-day treatment with HIV drugs greatly reduces the chances of acquiring HIV. PEP is another form of TasP. PEP must be started within the first 72 hours of exposure to be effective. The earlier treatment is started, the more effective it will be. If PEP is not offered in the emergency room or clinic after a rape or sexual assault, do not be afraid to ask for it. Related Stories
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