HIV is transmitted during sex, through significant and direct contact with infected blood, and from mother to baby.
The body fluids containing HIV include
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 | Blood (including menstrual blood) |
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| Semen and possibly pre-seminal fluid ("pre-cum") |
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| Vaginal secretions |
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| Breast milk |
In order for HIV to be transmitted
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| HIV must be present. |
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| HIV must get inside the body. |
The sexual behaviors that can transmit HIV
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| Vaginal sex (penis in the vagina) |
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| Anal sex (penis in the anus) involving either men or women |
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| Oral sex (mouth on the penis or vagina) |
The risk of transmitting HIV is greatly reduced by using a condom.
Other ways that HIV can be transmitted
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| Sharing needles when shooting drugs |
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| Home tattooing and body piercing |
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| Accidental needle sticks |
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| Blood transfusions |
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| Childbirth |
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| Breast-feeding |
It is important to know
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| Most people with HIV infection do not look sick. |
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| Most people with HIV infection have not been tested and don't know they are infected. |
It is important to remember that HIV is NOT transmitted through
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| Saliva, tears, sweat, feces, or urine |
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| Hugging |
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| Kissing |
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| Massage |
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| Shaking hands |
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| Insect bites |
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| Living in the same house with someone who has HIV |
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| Sharing showers or toilets with someone with HIV |
To avoid getting HIV
HIV is a virus that infects people by getting inside their blood cells. To avoid getting HIV, you must prevent the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk of someone who is infected from entering your body through your mouth, vagina, anus, tip of your penis, or breaks in your skin.
See How do I protect myself? for more information.
