Why does having multiple contacts increase the risk of HIV infection?

Having multiple sexual contacts increases the risk of HIV infection because it raises the likelihood of exposure to an infected partner. Each new contact can potentially introduce the virus, especially if safer sex practices are not consistently followed. Additionally, having multiple partners can lead to a higher chance of engaging in risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex, which further increases the risk of transmission. Overall, the more sexual partners one has, the greater the cumulative risk of encountering HIV.