Routes of transmission
Blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk of HIV-infected persons who are not receiving treatment can all contain HIV. Therefore, HIV can be spread by the following routes:
In Hong Kong, more than 70% of cases are infected through sexual contact.
HIV can be transmitted via penetrating sex, such as vaginal, oral or anal sex.
The presence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), ulcers and blood during sexual contact increase risk of HIV transmission.
Sharing injection tools with an infected person or using contaminated needles or syringes & other skin piercing instruments, or transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products.
HIV-infected mothers can transmit the virus to their babies during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding periods.
Ways in which HIV is NOT transmitted
