How HIV is transmitted

How HIV is transmitted is one of the biggest misconceptions about HIV as an entire disease. Spreading HIV has been a point of contention since its development, though tests and studies have been performed to prove how HIV is transmitted from person to person. Ultimately, there are four main methods of spreading HIV to another person: through unprotected sex, through drug injection, from an infected mother to an infant, and (rarely) in a health care setting. Doctors have been studying the spread of HIV for years, not only to figure out how HIV is transmitted exactly, but to determine the best way of combating it. The thing about HIV is that it takes over your body by infecting the healthy helper T-cells.

The misconception about HIV is that it can be spread through casual contact, like a handshake, a hug, or a high five. However, more and more people are learning the truth about HIV: it cannot be spread like that. The spread of HIV occurs through the exchange of bodily fluids.

1. HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact HIV is transmitted through the bodily fluids exchanged during sex, through either the genitals or the mouth. Open cuts or abrasions can also cause the spread of HIV. Both partners are at risk during sex for the spread of HIV, though the receiving partner is said to be at an increased risk. Menstrual blood can also contribute to the spread of HIV.
2. HIV is transmitted through drug injection. Infected needles  contributes highly to the spread of HIV. Different steps of the drug use process is vulnerable to spreading HIV. Blood can remain in the mixing water and on cottons or used needles. HIV is transmitted very easily through drug use and people don't usually think about HIV during this process.
3. Infected mother spreading HIV to an infant As an unfortunate method of spreading HIV, an HIV positive mother can pass the disease on to her infant through breast feeding, or even during pregnancy and birth. Using treatment today, this method of spreading HIV has lowered, but is still something to be aware of.
4. Spreading HIV in a health care setting While this method of spreading HIV is very rare due to all the precautions in place by doctors and hospitals, it still is still an important aspect about HIV transmission methods. Organs or blood taken from infected donors could contribute to the spread of HIV.
   

If you feel you could be a victim of HIV, don't hesitate to get HIV testing in NY. New York has some of the best HIV treatment methods, so HIV testing in NY is will give you the most thorough and accurate results you could ask for.