Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, infection causes a chronic progressive illness that can destroy the immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, represents late-stage HIV disease. Control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic focuses on prevention of HIV transmission, thereby limiting the number of new cases of HIV infection and AIDS.
Sexual Transmission of HIV
HIV transmission occurs when body fluids containing the virus contact the mucous membranes or bloodstream of an uninfected person. With infectious HIV particles in the semen, vaginal fluid and blood of infected persons, sexual contact remains the primary route of HIV transmission. Approximately 85 percent of new cases of HIV infection in the United States occur through sexual transmission, according to 2006 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV transmission can occur with anal sex, vaginal intercourse and oral sex.
To reduce the risk of HIV transmission during vaginal or anal intercourse, CDC recommends use of a latex condom. A barrier such as a latex condom, dental dam or plastic wrap is recommended to prevent HIV entry into the mouth during oral sex.
HIV Transmission with Injection Drug Use
Injection drug use is the second most frequent route of HIV transmission in the United States. The CDC reports that as of 2006, approximately 12 percent of new HIV infections are attributable to injection drug use. HIV transmission occurs through sharing blood-contaminated needles, syringes and other drug paraphernalia.
To help prevent HIV transmission among people who continue to inject drugs, CDC recommends never sharing needles, syringes or other drug paraphernalia; using a new syringe with each drug injection; and safely disposing of used needles and syringes after one use.
Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission
A pregnant woman with HIV can transmit the virus to her unborn child. Transmission of HIV during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding remains the leading cause of HIV infection among children in the United States, according to CDC.
Treatment of an HIV-infected pregnant women with antiretroviral medications and subsequent treatment of the newborn infant after delivery significantly reduce the risk for HIV transmission to the baby. CDC encourages all pregnant women to undergo HIV testing early in their pregnancy. For women who go into labor without having been tested for HIV, CDC recommends rapid HIV testing. Antiretroviral treatment begun during labor can reduce the risk of HIV transmission to baby during delivery.
HIV Prevention Effects
A substantial decrease in the spread of HIV has occurred in the United States since the mid-1980s. From 1984 to 2006, the HIV transmission rate in the United States dropped from 44 percent to 5 percent, according to CDC. This means that for every 100 people in the United States living with HIV/AIDS, the number of new cases of HIV occurring each year has decreased from 44 to five, representing an 89 percent reduction in HIV transmission.
Significance of HIV Prevention
Prevention efforts to reduce the risk of HIV transmission have led to a substantial decrease in the number of new HIV infections in the United States. CDC reports that from 1985 to 2006, the number of annual new cases of HIV decreased from approximately 130,000 to an estimated 56,300.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV and AIDS in the United States
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV Transmission
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Questions and Answers, HIV Prevention
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Mother-to-Child (Perinatal) HIV Transmission and Prevention
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC's HIV Prevention Progress in the United States
