How does HIV spread?
HIV is spread by unprotected penetrative sexual contact with an infected person. It can also be acquired when infected blood enters the persons' blood by sharing needles or the transfusion of infected blood and organ transplants.
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Unprotected sexMost cases of HIV result from unprotected penetrative sexual contact with an infected person. Avoiding unprotected or unsafe sex and taking precautions like using a condom can protect one from sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
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HIV preventionHIV is a virus that infects people by getting inside their blood cells. To avoid getting HIV, you must prevent the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk of someone who is infected from entering your body through your mouth, vagina, anus, tip of your penis, or breaks in your skin.