Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald - June 6, 2006
* Nearly all people infected with HIV through blood transfusions received those transfusions before 1985, the year HIV testing began for all donated blood. Among infants, the risk of contracting the virus is as low as 1.5 percent if women take antiviral drugs during pregnancy.
* There is no evidence that HIV is spread from toilet seats, swimming pools, telephones, kissing, sweat or tears. It can be transmitted by oral sex in rare cases.
* If you are sexually active and not monogamous, you should be tested at least every six months for the AIDS virus.
* Some people may contract the virus but never progress to chronic stages of the disease. Factors include genetics, a person's immune function and other chronic health problems.
***
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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