What causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Human Immunodeficiency Virus?
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which destroys important immune system cells. HIV is spread through contact with HIV-infected blood or other body fluids including semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.
HIV is spread through:
- Sexual contact with an HIV-infected person, especially intercourse or anal sex
- Transfer of HIV from a mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
- Being pricked by an HIV-contaminated needle
- Having a blood transfusion with HIV-infected blood (rare today, due to testing of all donated blood for HIV infection beginning in 1985)
Rarely, HIV can be spread through:
- Blood from an HIV-infected person getting into an open wound of another person
- Being bitten by someone infected with HIV
- Sharing personal hygiene items with an HIV-infected person (razors, toothbrushes, etc)