HIV Transmission
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.
Safety precautions can help prevent the transmission (spread) of HIV. HIV slowly weakens the immune system. Over time, a weak immune system makes it difficult to fight infections. Symptoms usually do not develop for many years. Many people do not know they are infected until symptoms begin. HIV continues to reproduce inside the human body. The number of HIV cells is called the viral load. The higher the viral load, the more likely it is the person can transmit HIV to another person.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Return to the emergency department if:
- You know or think you were exposed to HIV.
Call your doctor if:
- You have questions or concerns about HIV transmission.
Medicines:
You may need any of the following, depending on your HIV status and risk for infection. It is important to take every dose of any HIV medicine you need. Consistent and correct use of these medicines helps prevent the spread of HIV:
- Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is given to lower your infection risk if you are HIV-negative but your risk is high. The medicine may be given as a pill you must take every day. A long-acting injection is also available.
- Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is given after a possible exposure to HIV. PEP is a combination of antiviral medicines that help prevent HIV from reproducing. This helps keep the viral load undetectable. You must start PEP within 72 hours of possible exposure and continue for 28 days.
- ART (antiretroviral therapy) is given long term to prevent a confirmed HIV infection from getting worse. You will be given a combination of 3 or more antiviral medicines. ART may also be called HAART (highly effective antiretroviral therapy) or cART (combination antiretroviral therapy).
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
How HIV is spread:
The body fluids that transmit HIV are blood, semen, pre-semen, vaginal and rectal fluids, and breast milk. The virus can get into the bloodstream through a mucus membrane, damaged tissue, or injection equipment such as a needle. Mucus membranes are found in the mouth, vagina, penis, and rectum. The following are ways HIV may be spread:
- Mucus membrane contact with body fluid containing HIV
- Sex with a person who is infected, especially men who have sex with men
- Injecting drugs with needles or use of other injection equipment used by a person who is infected
- A needle stick injury, such as a healthcare worker providing care to a person who is infected
- From a mother who is infected to her baby before or during birth or through breast milk
- Rarely, from contaminated tattoo or body piercing equipment
Prevent the spread of HIV:
HIV medicines are not 100% effective. You will still need to take precautions to prevent an infection.
- Get screened for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HIV screening is recommended at least 1 time for everyone aged 13 to 64. Your provider will tell you if need regular screening, based on your risk for HIV infection. If you are sexually active, get tested for STIs at least 1 time each year. If you become infected with an STI, get it treated right away. This may help reduce the risk that you will give HIV to a sex partner if you become infected with HIV.
- Have safe sex. Use a new latex condom each time you have sex. Latex condoms are the most effective type for preventing HIV transmission. Ask your healthcare provider for the type of condom to use if you or your sex partner has a latex allergy. Do not share sex toys.
- Do not share needles or other injectable drug equipment. Use a needle exchange program to get clean needles. Do not share needles, syringes, rinse water, or anything else used to prepare drugs for injection. Ask about needle and equipment practices at any company you go to for a tattoo or body piercing. Only go to companies that are licensed. The company needs to use new needles and sterilized equipment for each client.
- Be careful with body fluids. Body fluids of a person with HIV should never contact others. Sores, cuts, blood, or body fluids should not be touched by anyone not wearing gloves. Do not share objects or tools such as razors, toothbrushes, or tweezers with anyone. They may cut or scrape the skin and cause bleeding.
- Tell healthcare providers if you are HIV-positive. Include all healthcare providers, such as your doctor, dentist, and anyone taking a blood sample.
- Do not donate blood, sperm, or tissue if you are HIV-positive. You may be able to donate an organ to another person who is HIV-positive. Your provider can give you more information about donation guidelines.
- Join a risk reduction program if you are HIV-positive. Ask your healthcare provider or local health department to help you find a risk reduction program. This program will teach you how to talk to a sex partner about HIV, including regular testing. The program can help you ask your partner to use condoms.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
You may need tests at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after exposure to HIV. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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