How Is HIV Transmitted?

HIV is spread most commonly by having sex with an infected partner. HIV also is spread through contact with infected blood, which frequently occurs among injection drug users who share needles or syringes contaminated with blood from someone infected with the virus. Women with HIV can transmit the virus to their babies during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding; however, if the mother takes the drug AZT during pregnancy, she can significantly reduce the chances that her baby will be infected with HIV.