HIV infection
Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be spread by the following:

  • Contaminated blood transfusions and blood product
  • Intimate sexual contac
  • The use of contaminated needles and syringes

The virus may also spread from the mother to her baby, either at birth or through breastfeeding.

People who become infected with HIV may have no symptoms for up to 10 years, but they can still pass the infection to others. After being exposed to the virus, it usually takes about 3 months for blood test results to change from HIV negative to HIV positive.

HIV has spread throughout the US. Higher concentrations of the disease are found in inner cities.

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Review date: April 27, 2008
Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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