• Since semen & vaginal secretions are sexual fluids, unprotected penetrative sex with HIV infected person is an important route of transmission. This is the predominant route of transmission of the infection.
• Blood can be gain entry in another body during blood transfusion or due to sharing of used needles. The latter is common in intravenous drug abusers. It can also occur if needles & syringes are used without proper sterilization in the hospitals.
• HIV can also be transmitted from the mother to the fetus. 

Can kissing lead to HIV transmission ?--
No the concentration of HIV in saliva is very low. Large quantities of saliva are unlikely to be exchanged in kissing. Even if the saliva contains HIV, it does not get transmitted unless there are some cuts/ bruises in the mouth.
Hence kissing is unlikely to lead to HIV transmission.

Can sharing of shaving blades lead to transmission of HIV ?--
During shaving, minor cuts are likely to occur. Many are very small, even invisible to naked eye. If a blade is used on an infected person some amount of blood remains on the blade. If the same blade is used for a healthy person then HIV in the blood can gain entry in the healthy person. However HIV does not survive outside the body for a long time. Hence risk is low. Shared blades increase the risk of  contracting other diseases like hepatitis which can survive for a much longer time outside the body.
It is always advisable not to share shaving blades.

Do tattooing & pricking ears help to spread transmission of HIV ?--
As with the shaving blades, the risk of HI transmission by tattooing needles is low. However it is always advisable to use sterilize needles as  the risk of transmission of hepatitis B is high.

What is the chance of transmission of HIV from mother to the newborn ?--
The chance of transmission of HIV from mother to newborn during pregnancy & delivery is about 30%
The risk of acquiring HIV through breast milk is 14-- 29 %

Can mosquitoes transmit HIV infection ?-
NO. Mosquito bites have not been shown to transmit HIV.

Can birth control pills prevent HIV transmission ?--
NO.

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