HIV is a disease that weakens the immune system. If it is not treated, it can develop into AIDS. HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. HIV can enter the body through your veins, your mouth, the lining of your anus or rectum, the vagina or cervix, the opening to the penis or other mucous membranes. You should know the most common ways HIV is transmitted, so that you do not put yourself at risk.
Unprotected Sex
HIV is transmitted through semen, vaginal fluid and blood. If you have unprotected sex vaginally, orally or rectally, you are putting yourself at risk. When there are open sores, or if there is bleeding caused during sex, there is a higher risk for HIV to enter the bloodstream. While saliva does not pose a risk, infected vaginal fluid or semen can pose a risk when it enters into the mouth, especially when there are cuts or open sores in the mouth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the best protection for preventing HIV infection from having sex is to practice abstinence. The second best is using a condom or barrier protection for all forms of sex.
Sharing Needles for Injecting Drugs
Sharing needles or other equipment, like filters or spoons, used for taking drugs puts you at a higher risk for acquiring HIV. If you share needles for injecting drugs, it provides direct access for the virus to enter your bloodstream. Injecting illicit drugs can be detrimental to your health for many reasons, so you should seek help if you take illicit drugs. If you decide to inject drugs, you should use clean needles to prevent the spread of viruses, like HIV and hepatitis C.
Passing HIV from Mother to Child
If you are pregnant and have HIV, it is possible to pass the virus on to your child during childbirth or through breastfeeding. If you have put yourself at risk for HIV, it is important that you get tested. There are medications that your doctor can put you on to decrease the chances of passing on HIV to your child during labor. According to AVERT.org, due to the risk of transmission, mothers who have HIV should not breastfeed their children as long as formula is available and safe.
