Non-Sexual Routes of Transmission

Sharing injection needles
An injection needle can pass blood directly from one person's bloodstream to another. It is a very efficient way to transmit a blood-borne virus. 

Blood transfusions
HIV can be transmitted by blood transfusion. 

Other blood products
Besides whole blood, platelets have transmitted the virus. Current blood screening, however, should prevent all but a very, very few cases.

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