Build-up to World Aids Day 2019 |29 November 2019
How is HIV passed from one person to another
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Only certain fluids – blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk – from an HIV-infected person can transmit HIV.
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 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.
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Mucous membranes can be found inside the rectum, the vagina, the opening of the penis, and the mouth.
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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 throughÌý
• 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.
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How HIV is not spread….
HIV isÌýnotÌýspread through contact with these body fluids:
• Sweat
• Tears
• Saliva
• Faeces
• Urine
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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.
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Contributed