HIV Basics

HIV TRANSMISSION

The Most Common Ways to Transmit HIV

• Unprotected Sex
• Sharing Needles or Syringes
• Mother to Child – transmission before, during or after vaginal delivery and/or during breast feeding
• There is potential risk for infection anytime HIV infected fluids come in contact with open wounds, sores or mucous membranes.

Common HIV Misconceptions

• HIV is NOT an airborne virus nor is it transmitted through food, water, or bloodsucking insects.
• HIV is NOT transmitted through casual or social contact such as touching hugging, holding, hands, or kissing.
• HIV is NOT spread through sharing food utensils, plates, cups, glasses or silverware.

HIV PREVENTION

There is currently no vaccine for HIV. You can reduce your risk from contracting or spreading HIV by:

• Abstaining from sex or use condoms or other barrier protections
• Limiting your number of partners and always knowing your HIV status
• Avoid sharing personal items; i.e., razors, toothbrushes, needles, etc.
• The less HIV virus you have in your body the less likely it is you can transmit HIV to your partners though transmission may still occur at any level of the virus.