HIV is transmitted via blood during sexual intercourse with an infected partner or by contact with infected blood, most often by sharing of needles, syringes or other paraphernalia contaminated with the virus. It is also possible to get the infection by transfusion with HIV-infected blood.


HIV is transmitted via blood during sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, oral) with an infected partner (who has not achieved undetectable viral load through effective treatment with ARV drugs) or by contact with infected blood, most often by sharing of needles, syringes or other paraphernalia contaminated with the virus. It is also possible to get the infection by transfusion with HIV-infected blood. Children can get the infection from an HIV positive mother during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding (Fig 3). The risk of transmission during unprotected anal sex is several times higher in than it is during vaginal sex. The transmission risk is greatest in the acute phase of the infection when the virus load is high.

HIV is not transmitted by air or water, mosquitoes, ticks or other insects, saliva, tears, or sweet that is not mixed with blood of an HIV infected person or by shaking hands, hugging, sharing drinking glasses and kissing (Fig 4).
3_4 - How HIV is transmitted

Published: 2022
In partnership with:
ISFF
FUAS
Correlation Network