What Are HIV and AIDS? 285
How HIV is spread
HIV lives in certain body fluids of people infected with HIV—blood, semen, breast
milk, and the fluids in the vagina. The virus is spread when these fluids get into the
body of another person. This means that HIV can be spread by:
unsafe sex with
someone who has
the virus.This is
the most common
way HIV spreads.
unclean needles or
syringes, or any tool that
pierces or cuts the skin.
blood transfusions, if the
blood has not been
tested to be sure it is
free from HIV.
pregnancy,
birth or
breastfeeding,
if the mother
or father is
infected.
contact with infected
blood if it gets into cuts
or an open wound of
another person.
How HIV is NOT spread
HIV does not live outside the human body for more than a few minutes. It
cannot live on its own in the air or in water. This means you cannot give or get
HIV in these ways:
by touching,
kissing, or
hugging
by sharing
food
by sharing
a bed
by sharing or washing
clothes, towels,
bed covers,
latrines, or
toilets, if you
follow the
advice on
page 295
by caring for
someone with HIV
or AIDS, if you
follow the advice
on pages 294,
295, and 309
from
insect
bites
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012