Abstract
Objective: To describe, according to the perspective of health professionals, the main forms of transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome identified in daily practice and the changes in the profile of people living with the virus. Methods: This is a qualitative study, carried out with 46 health professionals. For data collection, the semi-structured interview technique was used. The statements were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the lexical content analysis technique. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: Two categories were apprehended: ways of transmitting the virus and changes in the profile of people living with the virus, evidencing a replacement of the concept of risk groups by that of vulnerability. Conclusion: The main form of transmission of the virus is through sex. Vertical transmission and blood transfusion were also listed. There was also a change in the profile of the disease, considering that today anyone who presents risky behavior is vulnerable to the virus.