How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is primarily transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. This includes transmission routes such as sexual contact, sharing needles, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. The virus is not able to survive outside the human body for long and cannot be transmitted through air or casual contact, which is why airborne particles and skin contact are not valid modes of transmission. Additionally, while certain pathogens can be transmitted through contaminated food, HIV is not one of them, further making blood and bodily fluids the correct context for understanding how HIV spreads. Understanding these transmission methods is critical for prevention and public health efforts.