According to the Family Doctor, a website of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, damages the body's natural immune system. Doing so leaves the body vulnerable to other forms of infection. AIDS results when the body's defenses have been almost completely destroyed by the virus. Knowing how HIV is spread is vital in preventing the further spread of the disease.
Unprotected Sex
Whether vaginal, anal or oral, unprotected sex is a common way in which HIV and AIDS may be spread. The International AIDS charity, Avert, explains that HIV may be found in body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, blood and even saliva. If a man has sex with an infected woman, he may get infected via contact with vaginal secretions. The risk of infection is further raised if she has a cut or tear inside her vagina.
Unprotected anal sex is particularly risky because the lining of the anus is more likely to tear during intercourse. The consequent exposure to infected blood increases the possibility of infection.
Avert states that the risk of getting HIV and AIDS from oral sex is relatively smaller compared to vaginal and anal sex. Nevertheless, there remains the risk of infection if the person has bleeding gums, cold sores or lesions in the mouth. The fluid exchange during this form of intercourse may result in infection.
Intravenous Drug Abuse
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that intravenous drug users are at risk of infection. This most commonly occurs if they share syringes as infected blood may be transferred from an infected user to the other. This may also occur, however, if street sellers repackage used syringes to resell as sterile ones.
Aside from sharing syringes, Avert mentions that sharing spoons, filters and water that have been previously exposed to infected blood or fluids may be more likely to spread the disease than unprotected sex.
Mother-Child Transmission
Infected mothers may also pass HIV or AIDS to their babies during pregnancy, labor and delivery. Avert also warns that breast feeding may transmit the disease to the baby. There are forms of medication that mothers can take to reduce the risk of infecting their babies.
Blood Transfusion
This method of transmission was more common in the past. The chances of acquiring HIV/AIDS through blood transfusion is greatly reduced due to more efficient means of testing blood as well as more stringent screening guidelines.
Tattoos and Piercing
As with intravenous drug abuse, the risk of infection stems from the use of unsterilized equipment. According to Avert, most developed countries have very strict guidelines to ensure that tattoo and piercing parlors use sterile equipment. Nevertheless, it is highly advisable to inquire and verify whether or not the parlor you are considering adheres to these guidelines.
