HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages your immune system, hindering your body's ability to fight viruses and bacteria responsible for various diseases. The Mayo Clinic states that approximately 39.5 million people worldwide currently live with HIV. To avoid contracting HIV and adding to the number of persons living with HIV, you must first educate yourself about the disease and its risk factors.
Unprotected Sex
Unprotected sex is one of the major risk factors of HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The site explains that unprotected anal sex presents a greater risk than unprotected vaginal sex. The risk is also greater among men who have sex with men. The Mayo Clinic adds that your sexual orientation (i.e., heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual) doesn't matter if you are having unprotected sex with multiple partners. Finally, engaging in unprotected intercourse with someone who is HIV-positive--whether you are aware or not--greatly increases your risk.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Those with a sexually transmitted disease, such as herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea or bacterial vaginosis, have an increased risk of developing HIV for many reasons. The ulcerations or open sores these diseases cause compromise the body's protection against the virus, making it easier for it to enter the bloodstream. These STDs also suppress the immune system--weakening it--making you more susceptible to the HIV infection.
Sharing Needles
HIV-positive drugs users who share needles or syringes contaminated with their blood are spreading the infection at a rapid rate, as those they share with are injecting the contaminated blood directly into their own bloodstream. To prevent this, use a sterile needle each time. The Mayo Clinic also recommends participating in a needle exchange program; in these programs, you take your used needles and trade them for fresh needles.
Blood Transfusion Prior to 1985
Those who received a blood transfusion prior to 1985 are at risk for becoming HIV-positive. The Mayo Clinic explains that in 1985, American blood banks and hospitals began testing donated blood for the HIV antibody. This, in combination with improvements in donor screening and recruitment practices, has greatly reduced the transmission of HIV since 1985.
Mother to Child
The CDC states that HIV can be passed from a mother to her unborn child during pregnancy, birth or while breast-feeding. One way to lower this risk is for the mother to receive treatment during her pregnancy with anti-retroviral drugs. Another option is for the mother to deliver her child via Caesarean section rather than vaginally--this helps prevent the child from coming into contact with the mother's bodily fluids. Bottle-feeding versus breast-feeding further reduces the risk, as the mother's breast milk contains the HIV antibodies.
Accidental Needle Sticks
As the CDC explains, accidental needle sticks mainly pertains to health care workers and is one of the more rare risk factors. The Mayo Clinic adds that the the risk is less than 1 percent, however it does still exist. These may occur when attempting to draw blood from an HIV-positive patient, or while administering an injection to a patient with HIV.
To help reduce your risk, follow the Universal precautions designed for health care workers across the nation, as well additional precautions your facility may have in place.
