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Since the beginning of the [[pandemic]], three main transmission routes for HIV have been identified:

Since the beginning of the [[pandemic]], three main transmission routes for HIV have been identified:

*'''Sexual route.''' The majority of HIV infections are acquired through unprotected sexual relations. Sexual transmission can occur when infected sexual secretions of one partner come into contact with the rectal, genital or oral [[mucous membranes]] of another.

*'''Sexual route.''' The majority of HIV infections are acquired through unprotected sexual relations. Sexual transmission can occur when infected sexual secretions of one partner come into contact with the [[rectal]], [[genital]] or [[oral]] [[mucous membranes]] of another.

*'''Blood or blood product route.''' This transmission route can account for infections in intravenous drug users, [[hemophiliac]]s and recipients of [[blood transfusion]]s (though most transfusions are checked for HIV in the developed world) and blood products. It is also of concern for persons receiving medical care in regions where there is prevalent substandard hygiene in the use of injection equipment, such as the reuse of needles in Third World countries. HIV can also be spread through the sharing of leaches. Health care workers such as nurses, laboratory workers, and doctors, have also been infected, although this occurs more rarely. People who give and receive tattoos, piercings and scarification procedures can also be at risk of infection.

*'''Blood or blood product route.''' This transmission route can account for infections in [[intravenous drug]] users, [[hemophiliac]]s and recipients of [[blood transfusion]]s (though most transfusions are checked for HIV in the developed world) and blood products. It is also of concern for persons receiving medical care in regions where there is prevalent substandard hygiene in the use of injection equipment, such as the reuse of needles in Third World countries. HIV can also be spread through the sharing of [[leaches]]. Health care workers such as nurses, laboratory workers, and doctors, have also been infected, although this occurs more rarely. People who give and receive tattoos, piercings and scarification procedures can also be at risk of infection.

*'''Mother-to-child transmission''' (MTCT). The transmission of the virus from the mother to the child can occur ''in utero'' during the last weeks of pregnancy and at childbirth. In the absence of treatment, the transmission rate between the mother and child is 25%.<ref name=Coovadia /> However, where drug treatment and [[Cesarian section]] are available, this can be reduced to 1%.<ref name=Coovadia /> Breast feeding also presents a risk of infection for the baby.  

*'''Mother-to-child transmission''' (MTCT). The transmission of the virus from the [[mother]] to the [[child]] can occur ''in utero'' during the last weeks of [[pregnancy]] and at [[childbirth]]. In the absence of treatment, the transmission rate between the mother and child is 25%.<ref name=Coovadia /> However, where drug treatment and [[Cesarian section]] are available, this can be reduced to 1%.<ref name=Coovadia /> [[Breast feeding]] also presents a risk of infection for the baby.  

HIV-2 is transmitted much less frequently by the MTCT and sexual route than HIV-1.

HIV-2 is transmitted much less frequently by the MTCT and sexual route than HIV-1.

HIV has been found at low concentrations in the [[saliva]], [[tears]] and [[urine]] of infected individuals, but there are no recorded cases of infection by these secretions and the potential risk of transmission is negligible. The use of physical barriers such as the [[latex]] [[condom]] is widely advocated to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV. [[Spermicide]], when used alone or with vaginal contraceptives like a [[diaphragm (contraceptive)|diaphragm]], actually increases the male to female transmission rate due to inflammation of the vagina; it should not be considered a barrier to infection.<ref name="spermicide">{{cite web |url=http://www.fda.gov/oashi/aids/condom.html#should |title=Should spermicides be used with condoms? |accessdate=2006-10-23 |work=Condom Brochure, FDA OSHI HIV STDs }}</ref> Research is clarifying the relationship between male [[circumcision]] and HIV in differing social and cultural contexts, however critics point out that any correlation between circumcision and HIV is likely to come from cultural factors (which govern not only whether someone is circumcised, but also their sexual practices and beliefs).<ref name=Siegfred>

HIV has been found at low concentrations in the [[saliva]], [[tears]] and [[urine]] of infected individuals, but there are no recorded cases of infection by these secretions and the potential risk of transmission is negligible. The use of physical barriers such as the [[latex]] [[condom]] is widely advocated to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV. [[Spermicide]], when used alone or with vaginal contraceptives like a [[diaphragm (contraceptive)|diaphragm]], actually increases the male to female transmission rate due to inflammation of the [[vagina]]; it should not be considered a barrier to infection.<ref name="spermicide">{{cite web |url=http://www.fda.gov/oashi/aids/condom.html#should |title=Should spermicides be used with condoms? |accessdate=2006-10-23 |work=Condom Brochure, FDA OSHI HIV STDs }}</ref> Research is clarifying the relationship between male [[circumcision]] and HIV in differing social and cultural contexts, however critics point out that any correlation between circumcision and HIV is likely to come from cultural factors (which govern not only whether someone is circumcised, but also their sexual practices and beliefs).<ref name=Siegfred>

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