Who is at risk for getting infected with HIV?
A person of any age, sex, race, ethnic group, religion, economic background or sexual orientation can become infected with HIV if he/she participates in unprotected sex or needle-sharing activities with someone who is infected with HIV. Women with HIV can also pass the virus to their babies during pregnancy, delivery or by breastfeeding. Anyone who has had unprotected sex (sex without a latex condom) since the mid-1970s and/or shared needles or works may have been exposed to HIV. All people infected with HIV can pass the virus to others. This is true whether or not people know they are infected and whether or not they have HIV-related symptoms or an AIDS diagnosis.
Related Questions
- If a health care provider has a contraindication or is at a high risk for infection, should they care for patients infected with smallpox?
- How can the risk of chronic liver disease be reduced among people chronically infected with hepatitis B?
- When morticians are handling bodies infected with smallpox after death, what is the risk for infection?
