HIV transmission routes
HIV is transmitted through exchange of blood and other bodily fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions and breast milk. In order to get infected with HIV, there must be a way for these fluids to enter the mucous membrane or directly into the bloodstream (CDC 2013).
- Sexual intercourse is the most common route of transmission. Having an unprotected sex increases the risk of transmitting HIV. Sexual transmission of HIV is also enhanced by the presence of other sexually transmitted infections in either partner.
- The sharing of needles by injecting drug users (IDUs) is another common route of HIV transmission, especially in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (PlusNews n.d.). Needles contaminated with HIV-infected blood when performing non-medical procedures such as tattooing or body piercing is another source of infection.
- In some cases, HIV can be transmitted via blood transfusion, blood products, tissues and organs. The risk has decreased in recent years due to the screening the blood supply and donated organs and tissues.
- It is also possible for mothers infected with HIV to pass the virus to the baby during pregnancy, labour, delivery or after the child’s birth during breast feeding