is to abstain from sexual intercourse or to engage in sexual intercourse only with an uninfected partner who is committed to a monogamous relationship. Latex condoms have been shown to help reduce the risk of transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Needle Transmission: Sharing needles to inject intravenous drugs if the most dangerous form of needle sharing. Even the needles used for tattooing and piercing ears. Mother-to-baby Transmission: If a female is infected before or during pregnancy, her child has about a one in three chance of being born with the HIV infection. She can also pass it while giving birth or while breast-feeding. Blood Transfusion: Because of blood screening there is little chance for infection through a blood transfusion. Also you cannot become infected from giving blood at a blood bank. Organ Transplant: Although it has happened, it is very unlikely in this day and age because of new and improved testing procedures. Ways that HIV is NOT transmitted:Through everyday contact with infected people at school, work, home, or anywhere else.Touching clothes, phones, or toilet seats. It cannot be passed on by things like forks, cups, or other objects that someone has used. From eating food prepared by a person with HIVHIV is not transmitted by a mosquito bite. It also cannot be transmitted though lice, flies, or any other insect.You cannot transmit it from sweat or tears.It also cannot be transmitted though a kiss, although scientists are not sure about deep, prolonged, or open mouth kissing. Testing for HIVThe only way to know if you have HIV is to take an HIV-antibody blood test. The tests available to detect HIV infections are among the most accurate medical tests known. Two separate tests for HIV (called ELISA and Western blot), when used together, are correct more that 99.9% of the time. The test looks for the antibodies made by the HIV. These antibodies usually show up in the blood within 3 ...
