Transmission of HIV/AIDS

HIV is transmitted via bodily fluids or products including:

• Semen
• Vaginal or anal fluids
• Feces
• Breast milk
• Blood

Mucous Membrane Diagram

HIV is primarily spread through these bodily fluids or products by unprotected sexual contact (through mucous membranes in the vagina, anus, mouth, etc), sharing injection drug equipment, mother-to-child transmission in the womb, breast-feeding and any activity where bodily fluids are directly exchanged. Read more about HIV transmission.

Other activities may include:

• Tattooing (unsafe)
• Piercings (unsafe)
• Through blood transfusions using untested blood
• Occupational exposure (through dirty syringes/needles, for example)

Generally, the mouth is an inhospitable place for HIV and as a result, oral sex is considered a low to no risk for HIV transmission. However, there is much research that indicates that there is an unknown risk (perhaps as high as 15%) of contracting HIV through oral sex.

Conditions for transmission

Three conditions must be met in order for transmission to take place:

HIV Positive Body Fluid

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Direct Access to the Bloodstream

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Risk Activity

HIV is transmitted through the mucous membranes in the body which might include the anus, mouth or vagina or directly into the blood stream via injection drug equipment.

View the following resources for additional information:

• HIV Transmission Guidelines for Assessing Risk
• HIV/AIDS, Occupational Saftey and Health Professionals