Modes of Transmission

words and music by Greg Crowther, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry

Context

This song, loosely based on Run-D.M.C.'s "Walk This Way," was written for the 2012 edition of UW's "Mini-Medical School," a series of evening lectures for the general public. It counters popular misconceptions about the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Lyrics

Well,
I'm desirous
To talk about a virus:
The one called HIV.
Immunodeficiency
Leads to malignancy
And opportunistic disease.

But what are the modes of transmission?
What are the modes of transmission?
What are the modes of transmission?
What are the modes of transmission?

Aside from the paths
That the virus has
Into a child from its mother,
Sexual fluids
Or blood will move it
From one body to another.

These are the modes of transmission.
These are the modes of transmission.
These are the modes of transmission.
These are the modes of transmission.

So you won't get AIDS from mosquito bites.
(You won't get AIDS from mosquito bites!)

You won't get AIDS from an errant sneeze.
(You won't get AIDS from an errant sneeze!)

You won't get AIDS from toilet seats.
(You won't get AIDS from toilet seats!)

You won't get AIDS from shaking hands.
(You won't get AIDS from shaking hands!)

You won’t get AIDS from sharing spoons.
(You won’t get AIDS from sharing spoons!)

And you won't get AIDS from giving blood.
(You won't get AIDS from giving blood!)

Other Files

• music video (by UWTV)