How is AIDS transmitted?

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a condition characterizing the last stage of HIV infection. Its causative agent is the human immunodeficiency virus. Vaccines and cures for this infection do not exist yet, however, with the early detection of HIV, special treatment is used, which allows to increase the duration and quality of life of the patient.

How is HIV and AIDS transmitted?

To protect yourself and loved ones, it is important to know which way HIV-infection causing AIDS is transmitted.

Ways of possible infection:

• unprotected sex with an infected partner;
• use of common syringes and needles by drug addicts;
• transfusion of blood and blood components;
• pregnancy, childbirth, breast-feeding (from mother to child);
• contact of medical personnel with patient fluids through damage to the skin (risk of infection 0.3%).

Hidden Danger

In rare cases, HIV infection is possible when using non-sterile instruments in beauty salons (manicure, pedicure), tattoo parlors and piercing, in dental offices. The risk of infection in this way is extremely small, since in the open air the immunodeficiency virus dies within a few seconds. But the causative agents of hepatitis, syphilis and other infectious diseases may well be in the body when using low-quality salon services.

Myths and Misconceptions

1. Many are afraid that HIV (AIDS) is transmitted through a condom - infection is hardly possible if the contraceptive is used correctly. The condom should be worn at the very beginning of the sexual act and not removed until the end, the condom should be the right size. However, the use of a condom does not guarantee 100% protection against infection.
2. There is an opinion that AIDS is transmitted through saliva - this is hardly possible, since the content of HIV in saliva is extremely low. However, the wounds in the mouth and blood particles in the saliva can still be the cause of infection.
3. There were cases when in public places people were injured by needles with HIV-infected blood. The risk of infection in this way is extremely small - on the surface of the needle the virus is viable for no more than a minute. For infection, you need to enter the contents of the needle into the blood, and a shallow cut is not enough.

Unsafe Intimacy

It is necessary to be protected not only during vaginal contact. Special risk is accompanied by anal sex, because HIV (AIDS) is transmitted through sperm and the risk of injuries to the thin wall of the rectum is high.

In some cases (for example, with damage to the oral mucosa), HIV (AIDS) is transmitted by oral sex - it is hardly possible to protect yourself using protective measures, so it is best to avoid oral contact with an unverified partner.

Without panic

Often, having met an HIV-positive person in a society, we begin to be reinsured: we do not greet the hand, we do not eat at the same table. To ensure that security measures do not turn into rudeness, it is important to remember how AIDS is not transmitted.

Infection with HIV is impossible:

• at a kiss, embrace, handshake, touch;
• through coughing, sneezing (air-drop way);
• through the use of common cutlery, bed linen, household items, bathroom, toilet;
• when visiting public pools, saunas, showers;
• when eating common food and drinks;
• on contact with sweat, tears, feces, urine and saliva (unless these biological fluids contain blood);
• when HIV-infected blood enters intact skin;
• through the bite of blood-sucking insects (mosquitoes, mosquitoes, bugs);
• through pets.