While there have been great advances in the prevention of HIV transmission and AIDS progression over the course of almost 30 years, it remains vital to understand the facts because there is no cure for this disease. Despite major advances in diagnosing and treating HIV infection, and years of educational campaigns designed to minimize AIDS transmission, the disease continues to spread. In 2007, almost 36,000 people received an HIV diagnosis and over 14,000 died in the U.S. alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Transmission Routes
While HIV is detectable in various human fluids and tissues, only specific fluids have high enough concentrations of HIV to spread the virus from one person to another, according to the CDC. In order to transmit HIV, blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or breast milk from an HIV-infected person must permeate a mucous membrane, damaged tissue, or the bloodstream of another in order for transmission to occur. In the United States, HIV usually spreads via anal or vaginal sex, shared intravenous needles, breastfeeding and pregnancy. Less common transmission routes include oral sex, blood transfusions or organ transplants, although thanks to prudent measures to protect the U.S. blood and organ supplies this risk is remote.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Having a sexually transmitted disease can increase the chances of HIV transmission, according to the international AIDS charity AVERT. STDs such as syphilis and herpes can cause skin ulcerations or sores that offer a direct transmission route. Although less likely, STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can stimulate an immune response in the genital area that can also increase the chances for HIV transmission.
Out of Body Transmission
HIV dies quickly once exposed to air, according to AVERT, and there have been no reports of HIV transmission from small traces of bodily fluids found outside the body. In studies attempting to keep the virus alive outside the body, scientists discovered that artificially high concentrations of HIV are required to have the virus survive outside the body, and even these are not powerful enough to infect the body after a few hours.
Antiretroviral Drugs
Antiretroviral drugs have successfully worked to keep HIV from morphing into AIDS. Nevertheless, these drugs have not been able to eradicate the virus from the body, which means transmission to others is still possible and appropriate safety precautions are necessary.
Transmission Protection
Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the most effective way to prevent HIV transmission, according to the CDC. People can minimize their chances of HIV transmission by engaging in sexual activities with one uninfected partner. When properly used, latex condoms are highly effective at preventing HIV transmission.
