HIV Transmission
Frequently Asked Questions

How is HIV transmitted?
Which sexual activities will put me at risk?
Is it more difficult for a man to get AIDS?
Can I get AIDS from oral sex?

HOW IS HIV TRANSMITTED?
HIV is transmitted by five body fluids: Blood, Semen, Pre-Ejaculatory Fluid or "Pre-cum", Vaginal Secretions, and Nursing Mother's Breast Milk. It is important to note that transmission can only occur by having direct contact with one or more of these fluids in such a way that causes them to enter directly into your bloodstream.

HIV is only transmitted by behaviors which allow such direct contact with these fluids. Specifically, by sharing hypodermic needles to shoot drugs (this includes skin popping, and the sharing of syringes, cookers and drug use "works"); receiving infected blood, plasma, or body part; and sexual intercourse or other sexual activities.

Anytime you have direct contact with these risky fluids, you may have been "exposed" to HIV. Should the virus find a "portal of entry" into your blood stream in sufficient amounts, you may be "infected" with HIV.

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WHICH SEXUAL ACTIVITIES WILL PUT ME AT RISK?
Any activity which puts you in direct contact with any one or combination of the high-risk fluids along with any activity which is abrasive to your skin or mucosal linings. It is recommended that any sexual intercourse (including oral and anal sex) be done with a barrier (such as a condom) between partners to guard both people from risky contact.

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IS IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR A MAN TO GET AIDS?
No. As with any sexually transmitted disease (STD), it is easier for a man to pass along a disease to his sex partner - male or female - then it is for a woman to pass any along to her sex partner - male or female. HIV is considered an STD and follows this rule of thumb.

HIV is found in greater amounts in semen and pre-semen than in vaginal secretions, however the virus is most abundant in blood so a woman may have a greater amount of virus available for transmission if she is menstruating. In any case, unprotected sexual contact is a risky proposition for all involved partners - male or female.

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CAN I GET AIDS FROM ORAL SEX?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions about transmission. Like all sexual activity, oral sex carries some risk, particularly when one partner or the other is known to be infected with HIV, when either partner's HIV status is not known, and/or when one or the other partner is not monogamous or injects drugs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that oral sex can result in the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Abstaining from oral, anal, and vaginal sex all together or having sex only with a mutually monogamous, uninfected partner are the only ways that individuals can be completely protected from the sexual transmission of HIV.

The risk of HIV transmission from an infected partner through oral sex is much smaller than the risk of HIV transmission from anal or vaginal sex. Because of this, measuring the exact risk of HIV transmission as a result of oral sex is very difficult. In addition, since most sexually active individuals practice oral sex in addition to other forms of sex, such as vaginal and/or anal sex, when transmission occurs, it is difficult to determine whether or not it occurred as a result of oral sex or other more risky sexual activities. Finally, several co-factors can increase the risk of HIV transmission through oral sex, including: oral ulcers, bleeding gums, genital sores, and the presence of other STDs.

For more information, visit the CDC HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets

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If you live in Florida and you have further questions about HIV transmission, or if you need a referral to a test site or other service, please call the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline or send us a message.

If you live outside of Florida, visit The Body to find an AIDS hotline near you.