HIV is caused by a virus.

It can spread through

sexual contact or blood, or from mother to
child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-
feeding.
HIV is a virus that damages the immune system. Untreated HIV
infects and kills CD4 cells, which are a type of immune cell
called T cells. Over time, as HIV kills more CD4 cells, the body is
more likely to get various types of infections and cancer.

HAVING SHARING
SEX NEEDLES
You may become
infected if you have Sharing contaminated
vaginal, anal or oral intravenous drug
sex with an infected paraphernalia (needles
partner whose blood, semen or vaginal and syringes) puts you at
secretions enter your body. high risk of HIV and other infectious
diseases, such as hepatitis.

FROM BLOOD DURING

TRANSFUSIONS PREGNANCY OR
DELIVERY OR
In some cases, the virus
THROUGH BREAST-
may be transmitted
through blood
FEEDING
transfusions. Infected mothers can
pass the virus on to
their babies.

HIV is not
transmitted by:
 USE A NEW CONDOM EVERY TIME
YOU HAVE SEX
Use a new condom every time you have anal or vaginal sex.
Women can use a female condom.

LIMIT YOUR NUMBER OF SEXUAL

PARTNERS
The more partners you have, the more likely you are to
have a partner with poorly controlled HIV or to have a
partner with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

USE A CLEAN NEEDLE

If you use a needle to inject drugs, make sure it's
sterile and don't share it.

IF YOU'RE PREGNANT, GET MEDICAL

CARE RIGHT AWAY
If you're HIV-positive, you may pass the infection to
your baby.