The Channel 46
HIV transmits when body fluids that contain the virus come in touch with a permeable barrier in the body.
It can spread when the virus comes in contact with moist tissues of certain areas of the body like semen, genitals, blood, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, breast milk, and pre-seminal fluid.
HIV does not get transmitted through saliva. Hence, open-mouthed kissing does not spread the infection.
One of the leading causes of the spread of the disease is through vaginal or anal intercourse without the use of protection like condom. The lack of use of other barrier protection like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a treatment that specialises in preventing the transmission of HIV among people with identified risk factors, can also spread the disease.
The virus may spread through reused needles during blood transfusions, while getting a tattoo, etc. when the blood is infected.
The Channel 46