How HIV Spreads—and How It Doesn’t

Understanding how HIV is transmitted is essential for prevention and for lowering pointless worry. Sadly, many myths nonetheless encompass the methods HIV spreads. On this publish, we’ll break down the information so you’ll be able to defend your self, help others, and assist cease the stigma.

How HIV Spreads

HIV is transmitted when sure physique fluids from an individual with HIV enter the bloodstream of one other particular person. The 5 physique fluids that may carry sufficient HIV to contaminate somebody are:

• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal fluids
• Rectal fluids
• Breast milk

For HIV to be transmitted, these fluids should come into contact with a mucous membrane, broken tissue, or be instantly injected into the bloodstream (for instance, through a needle or syringe).

Widespread Modes of HIV Transmission:

Unprotected Sexual Contact

• Vaginal or anal intercourse with no condom or with out being on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)
• Threat is increased if one companion has a sexually transmitted an infection (STI)

Sharing Needles or Injecting Gear

• Consists of needles used for injecting medication, steroids, hormones, and even tattoos and piercings if not correctly sterilized

From Mom to Baby

• Throughout being pregnant, childbirth, or breastfeeding, a mom with HIV can cross the virus to her child
• This threat may be lowered to nearly zero with correct therapy throughout being pregnant

Blood Transfusions and Organ Transplants

• In international locations with strict blood screening procedures, that is extraordinarily uncommon
• Threat should exist the place blood merchandise usually are not adequately examined

How HIV Does Not Unfold

Regardless of what some nonetheless consider, HIV can’t be unfold by means of informal, on a regular basis contact. You can’t get HIV from:

• Hugging, shaking palms, or sharing a meal
• Coughing or sneezing
• Utilizing public bathrooms, swimming pools, or gymnasium gear
• Insect bites or animal scratches
• Sharing utensils, towels, or bedding
• Kissing (except there are massive open sores and blood is exchanged—that is extraordinarily uncommon)

Bear in mind: HIV is just not a extremely contagious virus just like the flu or COVID-19. It requires particular circumstances to unfold.

Let’s Bust a Few Widespread Myths

What You Can Do to Keep Protected

• Use safety: Condoms cut back threat throughout intercourse
• Get examined recurrently: Know your standing and your companion’s
• Take into account PrEP: A each day tablet that forestalls HIV for these at increased threat
• Don’t share needles: At all times use sterile gear
• Get educated and share what : Assist unfold information, not worry

Why This Issues

Realizing the reality about how HIV spreads can defend your well being and assist you advocate for others. It additionally performs a key position in ending stigma, as a result of worry is usually rooted in misinformation. After we perceive the information, we will all assist cease HIV from spreading and help these residing with it.

Coming Subsequent: HIV Prevention—Defending Your self and Others

In our subsequent publish, we’ll go into sensible prevention methods: from condoms and medicines like PrEP to schooling and conduct change. Prevention begins with data—so keep tuned!