Read about infection routes and risks
HIV is only transmitted through blood, vaginal secretions, seminal fluid, pre-cum and breast milk. These bodily fluids contain such concentrated amounts of the HIV virus that they can transmit infection.
HIV must enter the bloodstream directly for transmission to occur.
This can be done by:
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Having sex without a condom
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Sharing a syringe with someone infected with HIV
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The infection is transmitted from mother to child during birth
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The HIV-infected mother breastfeeds her baby
HIV is not transmitted through normal social contact, kissing, hugging, sharing a toilet or drinking from the same cup, and HIV cannot be transmitted by insects.
You can only become infected with HIV if you have been in contact with the blood, semen or vaginal secretions of someone with HIV.
