Key Points
Risk factors for transmitting HIV:
- Viral load (the amount of HIV in the blood of someone who has HIV)
- Other sexually transmitted infections
- Alcohol and Drug Use
Viral load
Viral load is the amount of HIV in the blood of someone who has HIV. The higher someone's viral load, the more likely that person is to transmit HIV. Viral load is highest during the acute phase of HIV, and without HIV treatment. Learn more about how taking HIV treatment and having an undetectable viral load prevents HIV transmission through sex or sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment, and from a pregnant person to their child during pregnancy, birth, and breast/chestfeeding.
Other sexually transmitted infections
If you have another sexually transmitted infection (STI), you may be more likely to get or transmit HIV. Getting tested and treated for STIs can lower your chances of getting or transmitting HIV and other STIs. If you're sexually active, you and your partner(s) should get tested for STIs, even if you don't have symptoms.
Alcohol and other drug use
When you use drugs, you may be more likely to engage in behaviors that increase your chances of getting or transmitting HIV such as:
- Having anal or vaginal sex without protection (like a condom or medicine to prevent HIV)
- Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment—for example, cookers
- Having sex with multiple partners
- Trading sex for money or drugs
Using drugs or drinking alcohol can alter your judgment, lower your inhibitions, and impair your decisions about sex or drug use. If you're going somewhere you know you'll be drinking or using drugs, bring a condom to reduce your chances of getting or transmitting HIV through sex.