How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is primarily transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk. This is because the virus is present in these fluids and can enter the body through mucous membranes or open wounds. Such routes include sexual contact, sharing needles, from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding, and blood transfusions with infected blood.

Options that suggest transmission through air and water or contaminated food supplies are incorrect because HIV does not survive long outside the human body and cannot be transmitted this way. Additionally, while vector carrier animals can transmit many diseases, HIV is not one of them, as it does not spread through insects or animals. Understanding this route of transmission is crucial for preventing HIV and ensuring safety in healthcare and community settings.