Activities That Allow HIV Transmission
Unprotected sexual contact
Direct blood contact, including injection drug needles, blood
transfusions, accidents in health care settings or certain blood
products
Mother to baby (before or during birth, or through breast
milk)
Sexual intercourse (vaginal and anal): In the genitals and the
rectum, HIV may infect the mucous membranes directly or enter
through cuts and sores caused during intercourse (many of which
would be unnoticed). Vaginal and anal intercourse is a high-risk
practice.
Oral sex (mouth-penis, mouth-vagina): The mouth is an inhospitable
environment for HIV (in semen, vaginal fluid or blood), meaning the
risk of HIV transmission through the throat, gums, and oral
membranes is lower than through vaginal or anal membranes. There
are however, documented cases where HIV was transmitted orally, so
we can't say that getting HIV-infected semen, vaginal fluid or
blood in the mouth is without risk. However, oral sex is considered
a low risk practice.
Sharing injection needles: An injection needle can pass blood
directly from one person's bloodstream to another. It is a very
efficient way to transmit a blood-borne virus. Sharing needles is
considered a high-risk practice.
Mother to Child: It is possible for an HIV-infected mother to pass
the virus directly before or during birth, or through breast milk.
Breast milk contains HIV, and while small amounts of breast milk do
not pose significant threat of infection to adults, it is a viable
means of transmission to infants.
