January 5, 2009
HIV can be transmitted by:
- Unprotected sex
- Sharing of hypodermic needles for injection drug use
- From an HIV-infected mother to her baby, especially as the baby passes through the birth canal (the baby has a 25-30% chance of being HIV positive if not treated during pregnancy)
- Human breast milk
- Accidental needle sticks, which are a risk among healthcare workers (about a one in 300 chance)
- Blood transfusion and coagulation products (although this is very rare, with the modern blood-screening systems in use since 1985)