AIDS, an acronym for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a chronic, life-threatening disease that affects more than 39 million people worldwide, according to the Mayo Clinic. It begins as HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system of those who have contracted it. As HIV progresses, it becomes AIDS, the name given to describe the later stage of the disease. Since no cure is currently available, it is imperative to know the risk factors and causes, which may help prevent the spread and contraction of this disease.
Sharing Needles
Those who participate in the use of illegal, injected drugs such as heroin are at a higher risk for contracting the HIV virus. Shared syringes and needles used by those with the HIV virus are contaminated with their blood, which is then transmitted into another user's system. Those who participate in risky sexual behavior while also using injected drugs on a regular basis are at an even greater risk.
The greatest way to prevent the transmission of this disease is to avoid drug use completely. However, the Mayo Clinic suggests that if you do use IV drugs, you should consider participating in a program that allows you to trade used needles and syringes for sterile ones.
Sexual Transmission
Unprotected sexual intercourse is perhaps one of the easiest means of contracting AIDS for one reason--the HIV virus is found in both the vaginal and semen secretions of those who are infected. Not only can HIV/AIDS be spread through vaginal and anal intercourse, but oral sex as well. As long as your partner's blood or secretions enter your body, you are at risk for developing the virus.
During intercourse, small tears are usually created in either the vagina or anus. It is through these tears that the virus enters your body, spreading itself from one person to the next. The Mayo Clinic explains that sexual devices may also present a risk. If they are not covered with a condom, or have not been cleansed properly after their last use, they may contain the virus as well, making them a source of contamination.
Finally, it may be a surprise to discover that a spermicide may also increase a woman's risk of catching this virus. Nonoxynol-9 creates small tears in the vagina by irritating the walls of the vagina. In addition, those who have another sexually transmitted disease are also at an increased risk of contracting this disease.
Blood Transfusions
Some people may have no control over contracting HIV/AIDS and these include those who receive blood transfusions. This is due to the donated blood used for these transfusion coming from infected donors, making infected blood one of the most common causes of the spread of this virus.
In 1985, all hospitals and blood banks in the United States began using a more thorough screening system for blood donations. These rules have paid off. The number of those infected due to transfusions has been reduced significantly.
Pregnancy and Vaginal Birth
Nearly 600,000 infants are infected every year with the HIV virus, according to the Mayo Clinic. These infants will eventually suffer from AIDS. These infants contract HIV from mothers who are infected with the virus during pregnancy. If a mother's HIV is detected while she is pregnant, the risk of transmission to the infant can be reduced by treating the mother while the child is still in utero.
A Caesarean section is another means of preventing the spread of the virus from mother to child, as the infant does not come into contact with the mother's bodily fluids. Bottle feeding with formula versus breast feeding is yet another way to help reduce the infant's risk.
Needle Sticks
The risk of contracting HIV/AIDS through an accidental needle stick in the health care industry is low--less than 1 percent. However it is imperative that health care workers need take every precaution to ensure accidental needle sticks during a blood draw or medication injection does not occur.
While the Universal Precautions are in place across the nation in every health care facility, each workplace may have additional precautionary standards that need to be followed as well. Doing so only increases your defense against contracting this disease.
