How would I contract HIV/AIDS?
The most common ways that people become infected with HIV are:
- Having sex without a condom
- Sharing needles, syringes or drug works
- Pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding
HIV is transmitted from person to person through the exchange of bodily fluids. While the HIV virus can be found in all bodily fluids of an infected person only these fluids contain a high enough concentration of HIV to transmit the virus:
- Blood
- Semen (including pre-cum)
- Vaginal secretions
- Breast milk
HIV/AIDS is NOT spread by:
- Air or water
- Insects, including mosquitoes. Studies conducted by CDC researchers and others have shown no evidence of HIV transmission from insects.
- Saliva, tears, or sweat. There is no documented case of HIV being transmitted by spitting.
- Casual contact like shaking hands or sharing dishes.
- Closed-mouth or “social” kissing.
