Essential information on how the virus spreads and effective methods of prevention.
How is HIV transmitted?
There are 3 main routes of HIV transmission:
Sexual Route: Unprotected sexual intercourse (without condoms) with a person who is infected with HIV.
Blood / Injections: Exposure to infected blood – through blood transfusions, injections or use of contaminated syringes/needles during injecting drug use.
Mother to Child: Transmission from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.
You cannot become infected by:
Overwhelming evidence indicates that the virus does not spread via:
Shaking hands / hugging
Sharing food / utensils
Coughing / sneezing
Toilets or showers
Swimming pools
Mosquito / insect bites
Working, socializing, or living side by side.
Prevention on transmission
How to prevent HIV?
Sexual Transmission
Abstinence: Abstinence from casual contacts is the most reliable way to avoid HIV.
Faithfulness: Be faithful to your tested sexual partner.
Condoms: Proper use of condoms effectively protects against HIV and other STIs (Hepatitis B & C, syphilis).
Injections Prevention
Use only new, sterile, or properly sterilized needles and syringes for any type of procedure.
Say no to injecting drugs. If used, ensure single-use equipment only — absolutely no sharing.
Mother-to-Child
Georgia ensures all pregnant women have full access to free voluntary counseling and HIV testing.
The risk drops to 2% through antiretroviral treatment, selective Caesarean section, and formula feeding.
