Immune cells protect the body from infectious disease. As the immune cells are lost, the body becomes susceptible to many infections. Adults become infected with HIV through sexual contact and contact with infected blood.
Women are more likely to be infected through sexual contact than men.
During delivery through the birth canal. Women who are sexually active with men are the fastest growing group of new HIV infections. The infant may become infected with HIV while developing in the uterus, during labor or after delivery while breast feeding. Women who have detectable amounts of virus in their blood and women being treated only with ZDV may especially benefit. The benefits of cesarean section are unknown in women who have no detectable virus in their blood.