Causes and Risk Factors of AIDS and HIV Infection
AIDS is transmitted via three main routes:
- The most common mode of transmission is the transfer of body secretions through
sexual contact. This is accomplished through exposure of mucous membranes of
the rectum, vagina or mouth to blood, semen or vaginal secretions containing
the HIV virus.
- Blood or blood products can transmit the virus, most often through the
sharing of contaminated syringes and needles.
- HIV can be spread during pregnancy from mother to fetus.
You cannot get AIDS/HIV from touching someone or sharing items, such as
cups or pencils, or through coughing and sneezing. Additionally, HIV is not
spread through routine contact in restaurants, the workplace or school. However,
sharing a razor does pose a small risk in that blood from a minor nick can be
transmitted from one person to another.
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