How does transmission most commonly occur?
• Blood-to-Blood contact, such as sharing HIV contaminated drug injection equipment, razors, or piercing and tattoo equipment; or by “blood brothering” • Unprotected sexual contacts such as anal, vaginal or oral intercourse with an infected individual • Infected mother to baby, during pregnancy, delivery, or in breastfeeding Once infected with HIV, the infected person can transmit HIV to others. The time between exposure to HIV and the onset of opportunistic diseases can range from as little as six months to 15 years or more. Without treatment, a high percentage of HIV infected people will go on to develop AIDS. Although there is no cure or known effective vaccine for HIV, many new drugs have been developed in recent years that have been shown to be effective in treating and managing the health of those infected with HIV. HIV is not transmitted by: • Sharing eating utensils • Sharing toilets or bathrooms • Mosquitoes or other biting insects • Drinking fountains • Swimming pools • Routi
