Transmission

HIV can be contracted in many ways. HIV is most highly concentrated in blood, semen and secretions from the cervix. Transmission of the virus most commonly occurs during sexual intercourse, either homosexual or heterosexual. The other main routes of transmission are through the sharing of infected needles (as in intravenous drug users), through contaminated blood products or from mother to unborn child across the placenta. The virus is also transmitted through breast milk. There is no definite evidence to suggest that kissing spreads HIV.HIV can be transmitted via a contaminated blood transfusion but this is unlikely to happen in the UK as blood is now tested for HIV. The virus is not spread by social contact such as shaking hands, sharing cups, cooking utensils or toilets. The virus is not spread in swimming pools or by mosquitoes or lice.