What is HIV
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HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus is passed from person-to-person through blood-to-blood contact and sexual contact. Pregnant women also have the ability to give HIV to their unborn child during pregnancy, delivery or by breast-feeding a child after birth. Body fluids proven to spread HIV are:
1. Blood
2. Semen
3. Vaginal secretions
4. Breast milk
5. Any body fluid containing blood
The most common ways that HIV is transmitted from one person to another is through unprotected sexual intercourse (anal or vaginal) with someone who has HIV; by sharing needles or injection equipment with an injector who has HIV; or from an HIV-infected women to a child during pregnancy, at delivery or by breast-feeding. HIV is NOT transmitted through kissing, biting, saliva, tears, sweat or insects.