Causes

The HIV virus is spread through contact with HIV-infected blood or other body fluids. This includes semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.

AIDS is caused by the destruction of T cells. The destruction is caused by the HIV virus.

Immune System

HIV destroys white blood cells vital to the immune system.

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HIV is spread through:

• Sexual contact with an HIV-infected person, especially intercourse or anal sex
• Transfer of HIV from a mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
• A prick from an HIV-contaminated needle
• A blood transfusion with HIV-infected blood (rare today, due to testing of all donated blood for HIV infection beginning in 1985)

Rarely, HIV can be spread through:

• Blood from an HIV-infected person getting into an open wound of another person
• Being bitten by someone infected with HIV
• Sharing personal hygiene items with an HIV-infected person (razors, toothbrushes, etc)

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your chance of getting HIV include:

• Having multiple sexual partners
• Sharing needles for injecting drugs
• Having regular exposure to HIV-contaminated blood or other body fluids (a concern for healthcare workers)
• Being born to an HIV-infected mother
• Receiving donor blood products, tissue, organs, or artificial insemination
• Being an immigrants from geographic locations with high numbers of AIDS patients (east central Africa and Haiti)
• Having a sexual relationship with a high-risk individual or a partner already infected with HIV