most people get hiv by having unprotected sex with someone who has hiv. another common way of getting the virus is by sharing needles with someone who is infected with hiv when injecting drugs. you have an increased risk of becoming infected with hiv through sexual contact if you: have unprotected sex (do not use condoms ). have multiple sex partners. are a man who has sex with other men. have high-risk partner(s) (partner has multiple sex partners is a man who has sex with other men or injects drugs). have or have recently had a sexually transmitted disease such as syphilis or active herpes. people who inject drugs or steroids especially if they share needles syringes cookers or other equipment used to inject drugs are at risk of being infected with hiv. babies who are born to mothers who are infected with hiv are also at risk of infection. what to think about hiv may be spread more easily in the early stage of infection when the first flu -like symptoms of hiv ( acute retroviral syndrome ) are present and again later when symptoms of hiv -related illness develop. the risk of getting hiv from a blood transfusion or organ transplant is extremely low because all donated blood and organs in the united states are screened for hiv. webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.
what increases the risk of getting human immunodeficiency virus hiv infection?