Most people get HIV by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV. Another common way of getting the virus is by sharing needles with someone who is infected with HIV when injecting drugs.
You have an increased risk of becoming infected with HIV through sexual contact if you:
Have unprotected sex (do not use condoms).
Have multiple sex partners.
Are a man who has sex with other men.
Have high-risk partner(s) (partner has multiple sex partners, is a man who has sex with other men, or injects drugs).
Have or have recently had a sexually transmitted infection, such as syphilis or active herpes.
People who inject drugs or steroids, especially if they share needles, syringes, cookers, or other equipment used to inject drugs, are at risk of being infected with HIV.
Babies who are born to mothers who are infected with HIV are also at risk of infection.
What to think about
HIV may be spread more easily in the early stage of infection, and again later, when symptoms of HIV-related illness develop.
The risk of getting HIV from a blood transfusion or organ transplant is extremely low because all donated blood and organs in the United States are screened for HIV.
Ways HIV cannot be spread
HIV does not survive well outside the body. So HIV cannot be spread through casual contact with an infected person, such as by sharing drinking glasses or by casual kissing. HIV is not transmitted through contact with an infected person's saliva, sweat, tears, urine, or feces, or through insect bites.
Contagious and incubation period
The incubation period—the time between when a person is first infected with HIV and when early symptoms develop—may be a few days to several weeks.
It can take as little as 2 weeks or as long as 6 months from the time you become infected with HIV for the antibodies to be detected in your blood. This is commonly called the "window period," or seroconversion period. During the window period, you are contagious and can spread the virus to others. If you think you have been infected with HIV but you test negative for it, you should be tested again. Tests at 6, 12, and 24 weeks can be done to be sure you are not infected.
After you become infected with HIV, your blood, semen, or vaginal fluids should always be considered infectious, even if you receive treatment for the HIV infection.
You have an increased risk of becoming infected with HIV through sexual contact if you:
Have unprotected sex (do not use condoms).
Have multiple sex partners.
Are a man who has sex with other men.
Have high-risk partner(s) (partner has multiple sex partners, is a man who has sex with other men, or injects drugs).
Have or have recently had a sexually transmitted infection, such as syphilis or active herpes.
People who inject drugs or steroids, especially if they share needles, syringes, cookers, or other equipment used to inject drugs, are at risk of being infected with HIV.
Babies who are born to mothers who are infected with HIV are also at risk of infection.
What to think about
HIV may be spread more easily in the early stage of infection, and again later, when symptoms of HIV-related illness develop.
The risk of getting HIV from a blood transfusion or organ transplant is extremely low because all donated blood and organs in the United States are screened for HIV.
Ways HIV cannot be spread
HIV does not survive well outside the body. So HIV cannot be spread through casual contact with an infected person, such as by sharing drinking glasses or by casual kissing. HIV is not transmitted through contact with an infected person's saliva, sweat, tears, urine, or feces, or through insect bites.
Contagious and incubation period
The incubation period—the time between when a person is first infected with HIV and when early symptoms develop—may be a few days to several weeks.
It can take as little as 2 weeks or as long as 6 months from the time you become infected with HIV for the antibodies to be detected in your blood. This is commonly called the "window period," or seroconversion period. During the window period, you are contagious and can spread the virus to others. If you think you have been infected with HIV but you test negative for it, you should be tested again. Tests at 6, 12, and 24 weeks can be done to be sure you are not infected.
After you become infected with HIV, your blood, semen, or vaginal fluids should always be considered infectious, even if you receive treatment for the HIV infection.
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