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Transmission

Approximately 99% of HIV infections result from having unprotected sex with someone who is infected, or sharing needles or syringes with someone who is infected, or being born to a woman who is infected and is not taking antiretroviral drugs.

Women who are HIV positive and are pregnant or considering having a child should talk to their physician or other health care professional about the importance of antiretroviral therapy to reduce the risk for transmitting the virus to their baby.

For more information about preventing transmission and the risks associated with various sexual practices, see Prevention: Safer Sex.

HIV is transmitted in the following ways:

• Sexual contact with an infected partner, including vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse (HIV can enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth.)

• Sharing needles or syringes contaminated with infected blood (including needles used for shooting drugs, piercing, or tatooing)

• From infected women to their fetuses during pregnancy or birth (Approximately 25–33% of untreated pregnant women pass the infection to their babies. Antiretroviral therapy reduces this risk.

• Through breast milk of infected mothers

• Contact between a mucuous membrane (e.g., lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, mouth) and infected blood