Which statement about HIV infection is true?

• A. There is no vaccine against HIV infection.
• B. HIV is easily transmissible in the EMS field.
• C. HIV is transmitted exclusively via blood.
• D. HIV is far more contagious than hepatitis B.

Answer: (A)

Understanding HIV vaccine status and how the virus is transmitted is being tested. There is no licensed vaccine against HIV infection currently available, even though research and trials continue. This makes the statement about there being no vaccine true. In EMS practice, transmission risk is focus on proper precautions; HIV is not easily transmitted when universal precautions and protective equipment are used, and exposure happens mainly through direct blood-to-blood contact or exposure to certain body fluids, not through casual contact or airborne routes. The other statements misstate transmission and contagiousness: HIV is not transmitted exclusively via blood, it can be found in semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk as well; and hepatitis B is more contagious than HIV, especially through blood and body fluids.