HIV is commonly spread by Having unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who has the virus sharing needles or syringes with someone who has the virus receiving transfusions of blood products donated by someone who has the virus getting HIV-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with the virus passing from a woman to her fetus during pregnancy or birth HIV is not transmitted by simple casual contact such as kissing, sharing water glasses, or hugging. The risk of transmitting HIV by a screened blood transfusion is practically nonexistent. Needles and syringes for collecting blood are only used once. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them. The CDC estimates that as many as one in three people with HIV don't know they are infected.
Testing is the only way to tell.
Some people develop symptoms shortly after being infected. On average, it takes more than 10 years. There are several stages of HIV disease. The first symptom of HIV disease is often swollen lymph glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Other early symptoms include slight fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and swollen glands.