HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The virus attacks and destroys a person’s T cells, which help fight off infection and disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in 2006, 1.1 million people were living with diagnosed or undiagnosed HIV in the United States. It is extremely important to understand how the virus is transmitted, since there is no cure for HIV.
Sex
HIV can be transmitted during sexual activity with an infected partner through vaginal fluids, semen, rectal mucus or blood. HIV can be transmitted when participating in vaginal intercourse if the woman or man has any open sores on their genitals. According to Avert, an international AIDS charity, anal sex carries a higher risk for contracting HIV because the anal tissue is more delicate and likely to tear. Avert reports that oral sex carries a small risk for contracting HIV, but the virus can be transmitted from the vaginal fluids and semen into bleeding gums, sores and ulcers in the mouth.
Injecting Drugs
Sharing or reusing syringes, needles and other drug equipment can easily infect someone with the blood-borne HIV virus. The CDC reports that drug users will often repackage used syringes and sell them as sterile syringes. The CDC estimates that in 2006, injection drug users accounted for 12 percent of new HIV infections.
Mother-to-Child Transmission
Mother-to-child transmission occurs when a child becomes infected with HIV during pregnancy, vaginal delivery or breastfeeding. According to AIDS.gov, an HIV-positive mother can be given medication during pregnancy and deliver her baby via Cesarean section to reduce the transmission rate to 2 percent or less. When an HIV-positive mother is not taking medication during pregnancy, labor or delivery, she has a 25 percent chance of passing HIV on to her baby. Mothers with HIV should not breastfeed their babies because the virus can pass through the breast milk, according to the CDC.
Infection in Health Care
HIV infection is very rare in health care settings in the United States; however, health care workers have been infected with HIV from accidental needle sticks that contain infected blood. MayoClinic.com reports that the risk of accidental needle sticks is less than 1 percent. According to Avert, a small number of health care workers have contracted HIV through infected blood getting into open sores or mucus membranes, such as their eyes or nose.
Tattoos and Piercings
In developed countries like the United States, tattoo parlors and piercing sites have rules and regulations regarding sterilized equipment and hygiene. However, it is possible for the virus to be passed on through unsterilized equipment. To ensure that the equipment is clean, Avert recommends asking about the sterilization procedures before getting a tattoo or piercing.
