Build-up to World Aids Day 2019 |29 November 2019

How is HIV passed from one person to another

·          Only certain fluids – blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk – from an HIV-infected person can transmit HIV.

·          These fluids must come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream (from a needle or syringe) for transmission to possibly occur.

·          Mucous membranes can be found inside the rectum, the vagina, the opening of the penis, and the mouth.

How HIV is spread?

HIV is spread primarily through contact with the following body fluids:

• Blood (including menstrual blood)

• Semen and other male sexual fluids

• Vaginal fluids

• Breast milk

The most common ways that HIV is spread from person-to-person is through 

• Unprotected sex (no condoms or other barriers)

• Sharing needles used for injecting drugs and

• Mother to child (during pregnancy, birth or breast-feeding)

HIV is spread mainly by

• Having sex with someone who has HIV.

• Sharing needles, syringes, rinse water, or other equipment (works) used to prepare injection drugs with someone who has HIV.

• Being born to an infected mother. HIV can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

How HIV is not spread….

HIV is not spread through contact with these body fluids:

• Sweat

• Tears

• Saliva

• Faeces

• Urine

In other words, you CANNOT get HIV by

• touching / hugging someone who is living with HIV,

• kissing someone living with HIV, or

• using a toilet also used by someone living with HIV.

Contributed