How HIV Is/Is Not Transmitted

HIV can be transmitted through:

1. Sexual contact:

• Vaginal sex
• Anal sex
• Oral sex

2. Blood contact:

• Injections/needles (sharing needles, IV drugs, drug paraphernalia, or injury from contaminated needles or other sharp objects)
• Cutting tools (using contaminated skin-piercing instruments, such as scalpels, needles, razor blades, tattoo needles, circumcision instruments)
• Transfusions (receiving infected blood or blood products) or transplant of an infected organ
• Contact with broken skin (exposure to blood through cuts or lesions)

3. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT):

• Pregnancy
• Delivery
• Breastfeeding

HIV is NOT transmitted through:

• Ordinary social or casual contact
• Donating blood
• Shared clothing
• Touching
• Shared food or dishes
• Dry kissing
• Shaking hands
• Toilet seats
• Insect bites
• Massaging another person
• Sexually stimulating a partner using your hand (although a risk may exist if blood, semen, or vaginal fluids come in contact with broken skin)
• Masturbation 
• Living with a person with HIV