Anyone can become infected with HIV/AIDS. There are many ways to contract HIV/AIDS. However, if you are aware of what the risk factors for HIV/AIDS are, you can decrease the odds of contracting this disease. One can be exposed to this disease when in contact with an infected person's blood, pre-seminal fluid, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk through cuts, sores, bleeding gums, the opening to the penis, and the linings of the anus, rectum, vagina and/or cervix, and shared needles.
Unprotected Sex
The more sexual partners a person has, the greater the risk for HIV/AIDS. One cannot tell by looking at a person whether she is infected with the HIV/AIDS virus or not. When sex is unprotected, or a new condom is not properly used each time, the risk of HIV/AIDS increases. Having sex while having a sexually transmitted disease also increases the risk, as bodily fluids have a much easier time entering the uninfected person's body through sores. Having sex with a person infected with HIV/AIDS is also risky. A person's body has several mucosal linings such as tissue in the eyes, mouth, anus, rectum, vagina and cervix. It is easier for these tissues to tear or for the HIV/AIDS virus to transmit to the uninfected person, particularly when having anal sex. Even sharing sex toys with others can increase your risk of HIV/AIDS.
Infected Blood Exposure
Prior to 1985, a test to screen blood for HIV/AIDS was not available. People who received a blood product, blood transfusion or organ donation between 1978-1985 have a higher risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS.
Needles
People who have had sex for drugs and/or money increase their risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. If you share a needle or injection equipment after someone who is infected with HIV/AIDS has used it you have an increased chance of contracting HIV/AIDS.
Infected Mother with Newborn
If an infected woman with HIV/AIDS is pregnant, the baby is at risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS either during the mother's pregnancy, during vaginal delivery or from drinking breast milk that contains the virus. If the newborn or nursing baby's mother is treated, the risk for contracting HIV/AIDS greatly decreases.
Health Care Worker
Health care workers also have an increased risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. Their risks increase if they accidentally stick themselves with a needle after using the needle on an infected patient, or have skin-to-skin contact with an infected patient's sores or cuts. People who clean up blood or other spilled bodily fluids must take precautions such as wearing gloves to prevent the HIV/AIDS virus from entering through cuts or sores in their skin.
CCL3L1 Gene
The CCL3L1 gene helps to prevent a person from becoming infected by the HIV/AIDS virus. The fewer copies of this gene one has the greater the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS they have when the virus is transmitted or spread.
