Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which may lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), primarily spreads through transfer of body fluids from an infected person to a healthy person. These body fluids include--blood, vaginal secretions, semen, saliva and other fluids present in your body. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since there is no cure for AIDS, it is of utmost importance for you to understand how this virus spreads and protect yourself from acquiring HIV.
Sexual Body Fluids
The CDC states that out of 42,496 cases of HIV/AIDS diagnosed in 2007, 83 percent, or 35,271, people contracted the virus through unprotected sexual activities. During unprotected sexual activity, the virus can transmit itself from an infected partner to a healthy partner through sexual fluids like semen or vaginal secretions. If either of these sexual fluids enters your body through sexual orifices or orally, you are susceptible to become HIV-positive and develop AIDS. The CDC states that if you engage in unprotected anal sex, you are at a greater risk of contracting the virus. The virus can also be transmitted through oral sex.
Blood
A HIV-infected person always carries HIV in all of his body fluids, including blood. If the infected blood from an HIV-positive individual finds its way into your body, the virus may infect you. You should avoid sharing needles and items such as razors with a person who is HIV-positive. You also need to be extra careful when someone around you has open sores or is bleeding. Used and discarded tampons and sanitary pads also may carry HIV in them.
Obtaining HIV through a blood transfusion of an infected person is not as common as it used to be, but it still occurs. According to the Minnesota AIDS Project, all the blood used for transfusion in the U.S. is screened with an HIV antibody test. Tattooing and piercing also provide a route for the HIV virus to pass from someone else to you or vice versa.
Spinal and Other Fluids
Body fluids surrounding any organ, for example spinal fluid of an infected person, carries the virus. According to the report submitted by the OACHA working group, from 1980 to 1995, out of 126 cases of organ transplantation, 27 deaths were accountable to HIV. New governmental regulations stipulate that a donor's blood must undergo various HIV tests before the transplantation procedure.
Amniotic Fluid and Breast Milk
Medically termed as perinatal transmission, according to the CDC, you as a mother can pass on the virus to your baby during the pregnancy. This occurs as the fetus receives your blood through umbilical cord and is surrounded by amniotic fluid during pregnancy. The risk is no less while delivering the baby. Even if you contract HIV post-delivery, breast milk can transmit the virus to the infant. By taking antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy, you can reduce the risk of transmission, states the CDC.
