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Main > Specialty Areas > Immunology >
How Is HIV Transmitted?
There are a few routes via which HIV may get into a body:
Unprotected sex
(70-80 percent of all infections are attributed to it);
Infected injection needle sharing
(5-10 percent);
Non-sterile tattoo and piercing procedures;
Use of other persons' shaving blades or toothbrushes with traces of blood on them;
Blood transfusions
(5-10 percent; mostly not a concern in developed countries anymore since stringent monitoring measures have been instituted to screen all donated blood for HIV virus);
Mother to baby - it is possible for an HIV-infected mother to pass the virus to the baby during pregnancy, during birth or via breastfeeding
(5-10 percent; however there are drugs that a pregnant HIV-infected woman can take that will substantially reduce the risk of transmission of the virus to the baby);
HIV is found in the blood, sperm, vaginal secretions, breast milk, but not in other bodily fluids such as saliva, sweat, tears or urine. Hence there is no danger of getting the virus through casual contact such as kissing, for example. The reason for this is that in order to get infected, one needs to receive a certain concentration of the virus. The concentration of the virus in blood is high enough to make it possible to get infected from a tiny droplet of blood; however, in order to receive the same amount of HIV one would need a gallon of saliva.
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| Random Useful Tip: |
Epinephrine shot If you are known to have a severe anaphylactic reaction, carry an epinephrine (adrenaline) shot with you at all times. Pay attention to expiration date and replace it regularly: upon expiration, it loses its effectiveness. |
| Random Drug Info: |
Acyclovir Acyclovir is a medication that is used to treat herpes infections of the skin, lips and genitals, chicken pox and shingles. It comes in the form of ointments, tablets, capsules or liquids. It relieves pain and itchiness and promotes healing; however, it does not cure the condition. Possible (but not common) side effects include headaches, upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe side effects, such as severe rash or itching, blood in the urine, stomach pain or fever are even less common, but require prompt medical attention. |
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