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9. How is HIV spread from one person to another?


HIV is spread when infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk gets into the bloodstream of another person
You can only get
through:
HIV if infected

direct entry into a blood vessel; blood, semen,

mucous linings, such as the vagina, rectum, penis, vaginal fluids, or mouth, eyes, or nose; or breast milk gets

a break in the skin. into your body.
HIV is not spread through saliva (spit).
HIV is spread in the following ways:

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 fluids at work, like health care
workers, may be exposed to HIV through needle-sticks or other on-the-job
exposures.
It is also possible to pass HIV through sharing needles for piercing or tattooing.
A person infected with HIV can pass the virus to others during these activities. This is true even if the person:

has no symptoms of HIV;

has not been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS;

is taking HIV medicine; or

has an undetectable viral load.
HIV is not spread by casual contact like sneezing, coughing, eating or drinking from common utensils, shaking hands, hugging, or using restrooms, drinking
fountains, swimming pools, or hot tubs.

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New HIV/AIDS drug treatments have lowered the number of AIDS-related deaths in the United States.

If you are HIV positive and pregnant, there are medicines you can take that can greatly decrease the chances of your baby having HIV.