AIDS is the result of HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus. A disease that can be life-threatening due to the weakening of the immune system, it is the final stage of HIV. While the most common mode of transmission is sexual, many other means exist. Educating the population about the causes of AIDS is imperative because no cure exists, only treatment.
Sexual Tranmission
The AIDS virus is found in blood, semen and vaginal secretions. Therefore oral, vaginal and anal sex are all modes of transmission for this disease, according to MayoClinic.com. During intercourse, small tears are sometimes made in the vagina and rectum. It is through these tears that the secretions enter, infecting otherwise healthy partners. While transmission is less likely with oral sex, open sores in the mouth pose an opportunity for the virus to spread.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adds that unprotected anal sex is riskier than unprotected vaginal sex. The site adds that those with another sexually transmitted disease, or those with multiple sex partners increase the risk of passing the disease on to other people.
Sharing Needles Through Drug Use
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that those who share needles or syringes for illicit drug use increase the risk of transmitting AIDS. This equipment is contaminated with an infected person's blood. When another user inserts this equipment into his vein, he is inserting contaminated blood.
Mother to Child
A mother with AIDS can pass the disease on to her unborn child by having a vaginal delivery and by choosing to breastfeed after birth, as breast milk is contaminated also, according to MayoClinic.com. If the mother knows she is infected while pregnant, receiving treatment during her pregnancy can greatly reduce this risk. Avert, an International AIDS charity, points out that mothers can also reduce the risk of transmitting this disease to a fetus by having a Cesarean section instead of a vaginal delivery. Choosing to bottle feed with formula reduces the risk further.
Needle Stick
While accidentally getting stuck by a needle is a less common cause of AIDS transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is still a risk. This pertains mainly to health-care workers, who should take extra precautions when working with patients who have AIDS. Indeed, health-care workers should treat every patient as if she might have an infectious disease, following all safety procedures set forth by the facility. Should a needle stick occur, immediately report it and follow the protocol for properly cleansing the wound.
Blood Transfusions
Blood transfusions as a cause of AIDS is not as significant a risk as it once was due to the rigorous testing the United States requires when organs and blood are donated. MayoClinic.com points out that whenever blood or blood products are given, hospitals and blood banks immediately test them for the HIV antibodies that indicate AIDS.
