Summary of Routes of Transmission of HIV

HIV is a blood-borne infection, which is known to be transmitted in three ways: sexually (either heterosexual or homosexual), transfer of infected blood, or from mother to infant (in the peri-natal process or through infected breast milk). Epidemiological studies that show that individuals with a history of genital ulcerative diseases (e.g. syphilis, herpes, chancroid) are more likely to be infected.

• Male to male
• Male to female
• Female to male
• Female to female (rare)

• Transfusion
• Using needles previously used by an HIV-infected person
• Blood or other HIV fluids in contact with mucous membranes or open lesions

• In uterus (presumed)
• At delivery (presumed)
• Breast-feeding