HIV Consultant Question:

HIV is spread when infected blood, semen, vaginal luids, or breast milk gets into the bloodstream of another person through:

• direct entry into a blood vessel;
• mucous linings, such as the vagina, rectum, penis, mouth, eyes, or nose; or
• a break in the skin.

HIV is not spread through saliva (spit).

HIV is spread in the following ways:

You can only get HIV if infected blood, semen, vaginal luids, or breast milk gets into your body.

• Having vaginal, anal, or oral sex without using a condom.
• Sharing needles, syringes, or works to inject drugs, vitamins, hormones, steroids, or medicines.
• Women with HIV infection can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.
• People who are exposed to blood and/or body luids at work, like health care workers, may be exposed to HIV through needle-sticks or other on-the-job exposures.