How is the human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) transmitted?

Sharing body fluids: Hiv is a sexually transmitted infection. It can also be spread by contact with infected blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding. It can take years before HIV weakens the immune system to the point that the patient has aids. There is no cure for hiv/aids, but there are medications that can dramatically slow the progression of the disease.