Despite efforts at education, many misconceptions exist about the likelihood of catching HIV through various situations such as casual contact, sex, and drug abuse. The actual probability of becoming infected with HIV varies greatly among common situations. An understanding of the most common ways to get infected with HIV can help people avoid contracting the virus.
Casual Contact
There is a a zero percent chance of catching HIV through casual contact. That is to say, HIV cannot be transmitted through air, water, or even casual forms of physical contact. It is possible to interact casually with someone who has HIV without fear of contamination.
Unprotected Sexual Contact
Open-mouth kissing or French kissing is highly unlikely to spread HIV because the virus is not sufficiently concentrated in saliva to spread in this manner.
Furthermore, there is a low probability of catching HIV via digital stimulation or oral sex according to Avert, an international AIDS charity. Unless infected seminal or vaginal fluid comes into contact with wounds in the mouth or fingers, there is little likelihood that HIV can be contracted via this method.
On the other hand, unprotected sex involving the vagina or anus carries a 62 percent to 66 percent probability of infection.
Intravenous Drug Abuse
According to WrongDiagnosis.com, intravenous drug abuse carries a considerable risk of HIV infection. This is likely because drug users who share needles are less likely to properly sterilize them. Infected blood may remain in the syringe after use and thus be passed on to the next person who uses it. The incidence of HIV among IV drug users accounts for 34 percent of HIV infection among women and 18 percent of HIV infections among men.
Exposure to Infected Blood
Being exposed to infected blood does not automatically guarantee HIV infection. There is a relatively low probability of infection via blood contact with the eyes or mouth unless the contact involves a significant amount of fresh blood. It is not possible to get HIV from mosquitoes because the insect does not actually expose the person to infected blood.
It is highly possible to become infected with HIV via blood transfusion if the blood is not properly screened for the presence of the virus. This is exceedingly rare in countries that have stringent screening and sterilization practices. The probability of catching HIV via this method in developed countries such as the United States of America is only about 1 to 2 percent.
Body Piercing, Tattoos, Barbers, Doctors and Dentists
The risk of transmission via body piercing, tattooing, or exposure via infected instruments and equipment depends on the sterilization practices of the establishments providing such services. It is exceedingly rare to get HIV when visiting doctors and dentists because most health care professionals practice strict sterilization practices.
Body piercing and tattoo parlors as well as barber shops vary in their degree of sterilization and hygiene. In order to reduce the chances of exposure, it is a good idea to research the practices of these places before using of any services.
Avert notes that the chances of HIV infection via this method are less than 3 percent.
Mother-Child Infection
There is a 40 percent probability that a woman with HIV can pass on the virus to her baby at any point during or after her pregnancy. A high probability exists that mothers will pass her illness to her child through breastfeeding. The risk of HIV transmission to the fetus or new born child are significantly reduced in mother's undergoing antiretroviral treatment.
