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HIV and AIDS

What is HIV, how it is transmitted, and what are its effects on the human body? We have a range of information on HIV testing, treatment, side-effects as well as advice on living with HIV.

Detail of a cover of 'Understanding HIV' publication

Blood to blood

Bleeding on its own isn’t enough to transmit HIV from one person to another. The blood of a person with HIV needs to get into an uninfected person's body for them to be at risk of HIV. This sometimes used to happen during blood transfusions and affected some people who regularly required blood products, such as haemophiliacs. However, in the UK since 1985/1986, all blood donations have been screened for HIV and blood products for haemophiliacs have been treated.

Another way that blood can be passed from one person to another is through shared needles. Some intravenous drug users (who take their drugs by injecting them) have become infected by sharing needles with others who have HIV.

Reducing the risk

The two ways that intravenous drug users can reduce the risk of HIV infection are:

  • always use fresh needles
  • never share drug equipment with anyone else.

This advice also applies to you if you inject steroids into your muscles.