Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, damages the immune system, weakening its ability to fight the viruses and bacteria responsible for various sicknesses and diseases. As the virus progresses, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome develops. Known also as AIDS, the Mayo Clinic explains it is the last stage of HIV. It is vital to understand the many ways of contracting HIV in order to prevent infection.
Significance
MayoClinic.com notes that approximately 39.5 million people worldwide currently live with HIV. At present, no cure exists for this disease; stopping the spread of HIV is dependent on prevention, education and early diagnosis and treatment. Knowing how HIV is spread is the first step in adopting lifestyle habits for self-protection and the protection of others.
Function
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevent explains that HIV is spread through specific bodily fluids, although it may be found in several fluids and tissues of an HIV-positive person. The fluids responsible for transmission include blood, vaginal secretions, semen and breast milk. The CDC explains that these fluids must either be injected directly into a person's bloodstream, or come into contact with damaged tissue or mucous membranes.
Types of Transmission
Sexual activity is one of the most common modes of HIV transmission, and can occur via oral, anal and vaginal intercourse with an infected partner. During sexual activity, small tears can develop in the rectum or vaginal area. It is through these tears that seminal or vaginal secretions enter the body, infecting another person, as MayoClinic.com explains. While transmission through oral sex is less likely, it can occur when bodily fluids enter through an open sore in the mouth.
Drug use is another common mode of transmission. The CDC explains that anytime a needle enters a person's body, blood enters the needle. Therefore, the blood of an HIV-positive person infects his needle, and when he passes his needle on to an HIV-negative user, his infected blood enters the other user's bloodstream, increasing the risk of that person also becoming infected.
MayoClinic.com states that every year, nearly 600,000 infants become infected with HIV via contact with their mothers. This may occur during pregnancy, delivery or breast feeding.
Misconceptions
A number of misconceptions exist concerning HIV transmission. Some people believe they can develop HIV via kissing. The CDC explains there is absolutely no risk when kissing with a closed mouth, and only a remote chance with open mouth kissing. This is only a risk if the person has open sores or bleeding gums.
Another myth is that transmission can occur when one person scratches another. While any open wound requires treatment, a human scratch poses no risk of HIV transmission because no transfer of bodily fluids takes place.
Perhaps one of the largest misconceptions is that HIV transmission can occur by touching infected persons, drinking from their glass, using the same toilet seat or being near them when they sneeze or cough. While anyone caring for an HIV-positive person should become educated about the virus, people in general need to understand that this is not a disease spread through casual contact. It is not an airborne or food-borne pathogen, as the CDC points out.
Prevention/Solution
When having sexual intercourse, people should always protect themselves with a latex condom. Asking partners about their sexual history and delving into their history of sexually transmitted diseases is not too much to ask either.
Those who use injectable drugs should attempt to quit; however, the next best thing is to use a fresh needle each time, disposing immediately of the used needles.
Pregnant mothers should undergo HIV testing and, should they receive a positive result, begin treatment during their pregnancy. MayoClinic.com points out that this significantly reduces the risk of the baby developing the virus. Delivering via a cesarean section further reduces the risk, as the baby faces less exposure to bodily fluids. Finally, opting to bottle feed rather than breast feed can also lessen the risk of transmission to the baby.
