Aids how is it spread

You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill. Sexual contact - HIV is spread most commonly by sexual contact with an infected partner. The virus enters the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sexual activity. Blood contamination - HIV may also be spread through contact with infected blood. However, due to the screening of blood for evidence of HIV infection, the risk of acquiring HIV from blood transfusions is extremely low.

Needles - HIV is frequently spread by sharing needles, syringes, or drug use equipment with someone who is infected with the virus. Transmission from patient to healthcare worker, or vice-versa through accidental sticks with contaminated needles or other medical instruments, is rare. Mother-infant - HIV also can be spread to babies born to, or breastfed by, mothers infected with the virus.

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Because symptoms can be mild at first, people with HIV might not know they're infected. They can spread HIV to others without knowing it. The best way to protect yourself from HIV is to not have sex vaginal, oral, or anal and not share needles. Understanding how HIV spreads can help you make safer choices about sex. More HIV Topics. Follow HIV. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. If you are HIV-positive, you can pass the virus at any time, even if you are getting treatment. If you take HIV medicine and your viral load is not detectable in your blood, your chances of passing HIV to your sexual partner is lower.

You should always use a latex condom or dental dam with sex. Learn more about how to prevent passing HIV to your partner. Having a viral load that cannot be detected can keep you healthy and also prevent you from passing the virus to your unborn baby. Learn more about how to prevent passing HIV to your baby. Department of Health and Human Services.

ET closed on federal holidays. How HIV is spread. How HIV is spread Through vaginal or anal sex.