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Transmission of HIV
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HIV is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood contact between people. This mainly occurs during unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) or through sharing needles or syringes with someone who is infected with HIV. In children, however, the way HIV is passed varies depending on the age of the child. More than 95% of children under 13 years old who are diagnosed with HIV are infected during pregnancy or birth from exposure to an infected mother. In many cases, these women did not know that they were infected with HIV until their baby or child was diagnosed. Babies can also be infected after birth through breastfeeding. Older teenagers tend to be infected through sexual or IV drug exposures. Sexual transmission can occur between heterosexual or homosexual contacts. In the early days of the epidemic, blood transfusions accounted for a large number of infections. Today, all blood donations are screened for HIV and there is almost no risk for contracting HIV from a blood transfusion. The following body fluids have been proven to spread HIV:
Casual contact through closed mouth kissing has not been shown to spread the virus. Although the risk is low, open mouth kissing or French kissing may cause contact with blood and could cause the virus to spread although the risk is minimal. HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact, which means it is not risky to shake or hold hands, hug, kiss; share locations such as offices, classrooms, or locker rooms; share facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms; use public facilities such as drinking fountains, restrooms, or doorknobs; swim in public pools; eat food prepared or served by a person with HIV. [Keywords:HIV] |
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