1.3. How do I get infected?

HIV can only be transmitted in:
* Blood (including menstrual blood)
* Semen
* Vaginal fluids
* Breast milk
HIV can only be passed to another person if these fluids get into the other person's body. The level of the virus in other bodily fluids such as saliva is far too low to be infectious. High-level laboratory techniques can detect the virus in other body fluids of HIV positive people but these are not infectious.
HIV can be transmitted through having unprotected sex
* Unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse with an HIV positive person puts you at risk of becoming infected. In South Africa, this is the most common way that HIV is spread.
* Anal intercourse is the most risky sexual behavior as it often leads to small tears through which the virus will pass easily.
* Oral sex may be unsafe if there are small cuts in the mouth and/or gum.
* The risk of HIV transmission through unprotected sex applies to all couples, whether you are in a heterosexual or same sex relationship.
* In heterosexual relationships, women are more at risk of infection by an HIV positive male partner than men are of being infected by an HIV positive female partner.
* In same sex relationships between men, anal sex is the most common form of transmission of HIV.
HIV can be transmitted from a mother to her baby
Mothers living with HIV run the risk of transmitting HIV to their infants during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding. This is called Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT).
See 2.3 How do I protect my baby from HIV infection (PMTCT)?
HIV can be transmitted through intravenous drug use
* Injecting drug users (IDUs) are at risk of becoming infected with HIV through the sharing of contaminated needles and/or syringes.
* When a person shoots drugs, a small amount of blood remains inside the needle and/or syringe. If the person is HIV positive, when others use the same needle, they inject the infected blood into their bloodstream.
HIV can be transmitted through contact with contaminated blood and blood products
* HIV can be transmitted through infected blood and blood products.
* In the past, before screening was introduced, HIV was transmitted through blood transfusions or from infected blood products. These days, all donated blood used in hospitals is screened to prevent this.
* Universal Precautions are a set of precautions designed to prevent transmission of HIV when providing first aid or health care. It is important to practise Universal Precautions -protect yourself by always wearing gloves when you work with blood or open wounds even when you know the person's HIV status.
HIV can be transmitted through occupational exposure
* HIV transmission can happen through accidents in the workplace.
* Healthcare workers or those who care for HIV positive people may come into contact accidentally with contaminated body fluids or may mistakenly prick themselves with a needle. However many research studies have proven that the virus is too weak to survive for long periods outside of the body so this risk is small.
See 1.3 How do I get infected?
You can't get HIV from:
* Hugging
* Casual kissing
* Saliva, tears or sweat
* Touching
* Sharing a home
* Sharing utensils such as forks and spoons
* Touching a toilet seat, telephone or doorknob
* Eating or playing together
* Mosquitoes or other insects


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