How is HIV transmitted?
Below are the means of HIV transmission:
* Vertical Transmission
HIV can be spread to babies born to, or breastfed by, mothers infected with the virus.
* Sexual contact
In adults and adolescents, HIV is spread by sexual contact with an infected person. The virus enters the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum or mouth during sex.
* Blood contamination
HIV can also spread through contact with infected blood. However, due to the screening conducted for evidence of HIV infection in the blood, the risk of acquiring HIV through blood transfusions is extremely low.
* Needles
HIV is frequently spread by sharing needles, syringes, or drug use equipment with someone infected with the virus. Transmission of the virus in patient care professionals of the health or vice versa through accidental sticks with contaminated needles or other medical instruments is rare.