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HIV is primarily spread by sexual contact and intravenous drug use. Most early infections in the US were via homosexual sex, ; most current infections in the world are via heterosexual contact and vertical transmission from mother to child. ch mothers Mothers infected with HIV transmit the virus to their baby ''in utero'', during childbirth, or via breastfeeding. Mother-to-child transmission can be significantly reduced by the proper use of antiretroviral agents.* Contact Less commonly, contact with infected bloodcauses HIV transmission. This can include any physical occur in health care providers (HCPs) or others exposed to infectious bodily fluids. Transmission is facilitated by breaks in the skin or direct contact with mucosal tissues, such as those found in the blood of an infected personeyes, mouth, anus, or vagina. Early in the epidemic, including blood transfusionswere a significant source of HIV transmission. Other less likely means of transmission exist, though are rare. These include There are no confirmed cases from contact with the saliva, sweat or tears of an infected person.