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HIV / AIDS

Are Semen and Vaginal Secretions the only fluids that can carry the AIDS virus?

HIV is transmitted in blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.
Transmission of the virus occurs:

• Through sexual contact – Having unprotected intercourse with someone who has the virus, including oral, vaginal, and anal sex.

• Through blood -- via blood transfusions (now extremely rare in the U.S) or needle sharing.

• From mother to child -- a pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her fetus through their shared blood circulation, or a nursing mother can transmit it to her baby in her milk.

Other transmission methods are rare and include accidental needle injury, artificial insemination with donated semen, and organ transplants.

HIV virus can enter the body through the mucous membranes that line the vagina, rectum, urethra, and possibly the mouth. Damage to these mucous membranes such as exposure of bloodstream is not necessary for transmission.

HIV infection is not spread by casual contact such as hugging, by touching items previously touched by a person infected with the virus, during participation in sports, sharing drinking glasses, or kissing.

There have been no documented cases of HIV contraction from urine, sweat, and saliva.

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