Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), is a chronic, life-threatening disease that as of 2010 affects more than 39 million people worldwide, according to the Mayo Clinic. It begins as HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, a virus that weakens the immune system of those who have contracted it. As this virus progresses and your body is unable to fight simple infections such as pneumonia, it becomes AIDS, the name given to the later stage of the disease. No cure exists, so knowing the risk factors and causes may help prevent the spread and contraction of this virus.
Sexual Intercourse
The HIV virus is present in both the semen and vaginal secretions of those who are infected, making unprotected sexual intercourse one of the easiest means of contracting AIDS. It is possible to not only spread this disease through both vaginal and anal sex, but through oral sex as well--any way that your partner's secretions or blood can enter your system is a way for you to catch the disease.
Sexual devices that are not covered or that have not been properly cleansed may also transmit AIDS from one person to the next. The Mayo Clinic states that during intercourse, small tears may be created in the vagina or anus. It is through these small tears that the virus enters the body.
Those with another sexually transmitted disease are at an increased risk for developing this virus, as are women who use the spermicide nonoxynol 9. This is because this spermicide irritates the wall of the vagina, creating small tears.
Mother to Child
Every year, according to the Mayo Clinic, almost 600,000 children are infected with the HIV virus; the virus that eventually advances to AIDS. These infants become infected for one reason--their mothers are HIV-positive. In most cases, expectant mothers are screened for the virus. If found to be infected, they can be treated, which reduces the risk of transmission to their unborn child.
Another means of reducing this risk is to undergo a Caesarean section rather than a vaginal birth. This allows the baby to avoid contact with the mother's bodily fluids. In most cases, it is recommended that the mother bottle feed with formula rather than breast feed; this, too, reduces the infant's risk.
Sharing Needles
Those who use injectable drugs such as heroin are also at a higher risk for contracting the virus that progresses into AIDS. This is due to shared syringes and needles being contaminated with an infected person's blood, which is then transmitted into another's system. The risk is greater among those who engage in risky sexual behavior and who use injectable drugs on a frequent basis.
While avoiding drugs altogether is the most reliable way to prevent the transmission of this disease, the Mayo Clinic suggests participating in a program that allows you to trade your used needles for ones that are sterile if use IV drugs.
Infected Blood
Infected blood is one of the major causes of the spread of HIV/AIDS. In some cases however, you may not have any control over contracting this disease, as infected blood may come in the form of blood transfusions.
In 1985, all hospitals and blood banks in the United States began screening blood donations more thoroughly, becoming stricter on their rules and regulations regarding testing, donors and recruiting. These efforts have paid off, as the number of those infected due to infected blood received from transfusions has dropped significantly.
Accidental Needle Sticks
While the risk of contracting this disease through accidental needle sticks in the health care industry is low--less than 1 percent--health care workers need to take every possible precaution to ensure an accidental needle stick during a blood draw or medication injection does not occur. Aside from following the Universal Precautions, the standards in place across the nation, all health care workers need to use the precautionary measures their specific workplace incorporates.
