What is HIV infection, surely every adult knows. Unfortunately, humanity has not yet come up with ways to treat this disease. In order to avoid problems, you need to know how HIV gets infected. Many people think that infection spreads through the air. This opinion is erroneous. Doctors give a clear answer in which situations you need to sound the alarm. We will talk more about this in the article.
How did HIV come about?
Many scientists are still arguing where this infection came from. Its origin is not exactly known. Recently, doctors are inclined to the version that monkeys were to blame. The first case of infection was detected in a hunter who butchered dead monkeys. But the thing is that in these animals this virus was not detected in the blood. There are similar cells, but still not the same. Perhaps the virus simply mutated in a person’s blood and people learned about such a terrible disease as AIDS.
To date, there is a version that the disease was created artificially in secret laboratories. And prepared as a weapon of mass destruction.
In fact, it is not so important where the virus came from, the main thing is to know how HIV is infected. International conferences and lectures are held annually, which give detailed answers to this question. Among other things, the theme of biology lessons devoted to this problem is necessarily included in the school curriculum. Children should also know all about this disease to minimize the risk of infection.
HIV transmission routes
Many people ask doctors how they get infected with HIV. Strange, but in the 21st century, not all adults know the answer to this question. This is sad. After all, their health depends on knowledge. So, there are several ways of infection:
Sex without condoms. Remember, no pills, candles, spirals can protect you from the virus.
Through the blood. This method is called parenteral. At risk are drug addicts who use one needle.
Through the placenta of the mother to the unborn child. Doctors call it a vertical way. There are cases when infection of the baby can be avoided. This happens if a pregnant woman takes the right drugs for the entire 9 months of gestation. Natural birth in this case is prohibited, only a cesarean section is assumed. Breastfeeding is also unacceptable.
Blood transfusion. Cases of infection are extremely rare.
From the patient to the doctor. This happens during surgery or other surgical interventions, and only in those cases when the infected person does not notify about his illness. Fortunately, such cases are rare, as the medical staff always works with gloves and knows the precautions.
After reading the above information, you will probably be able to answer the question: “How are people infected with HIV?”
Be careful
In high school, lectures and open classes on AIDS are held annually. And this is not accidental. It is important that adolescents know how people become infected with HIV.
In most cases, this occurs during unprotected sex. The fact is that the infection is found in large quantities in male semen and on the lining of the uterus. Moreover, if one of the partners has mucosal microcracks, infection will occur in 95%. The only protection in this case is condoms. Moreover, they must be of high quality, not expired, of well-known brands. You should not choose an ultrathin series. Density should be maximum.
It is better not to have sex with unverified partners in case of any gynecological diseases and cervical erosion. In this case, the risk of infection is highest. The same applies to anal sex. The walls of the anus are so thin that microcracks cannot be avoided. This explains why many homosexuals suffer from HIV infection.
Remember: a spiral, birth control pills, injections, a hormone patch, suppositories can protect you from an unwanted pregnancy, but they will not save you from the HIV virus.
Many people are interested in: “What is the likelihood of contracting HIV using a condom in sex?” Risks are reduced to almost zero.
Drugs - Sentence
Another route of infection is through blood. Most at risk are drug addicts who use a single syringe. The probability of contracting HIV using the needles that were already in use is 65%. And this is more than half. That is, every time you introduce someone else’s needle, the chances are 50 to 50. This is a lot.
Especially the AIDS infection boom in addicted people came in the 90s. In those days, drug addiction flourished, and disposable syringes cost a lot. Therefore, it was not a question of acquiring them individually.
Now the percentage of people infected with HIV from using reusable syringes has dropped significantly. Firstly, information campaigning helped, people began to understand how serious and insidious the disease was. Secondly, syringe prices have dropped significantly.
If you are still interested in the question: "What is the chance of contracting HIV from the needle used by the patient?" The answer is quite simple. Unfortunately, it will be 100%. When a virus enters the bloodstream, it leaves no chance for the body to overcome HIV infection, no matter how strong the person’s immunity is.
Unfortunately, there are cases of infection of children who, finding syringes with needles on the street, begin to play with them. Doing this is by no means impossible. No one can guarantee that the blood of an uninfected person is on the needle.
Think about the future of children
Expectant mothers must be tested for HIV. When registering with any hospital, this is a must. The analysis is absolutely free, and almost painless. Blood is taken from a vein and sent to the laboratory. In a few days the answer is ready. If it is positive, the organism of the future mother is infected.
In this case, the question will be relevant: "What is the likelihood of contracting HIV in the baby who is in the womb?" There are risks, and they are quite high. In 30% of cases, the baby is born infected. This can happen if the mother does not receive proper treatment during the period of bearing the baby, breastfeeds.
A baby is more likely to contract HIV infection during natural birth if her mother has a huge amount of viruses on her uterine mucosa. Therefore, in most cases, a cesarean section is done to protect the health of the baby.
Health workers at risk
People associated with medicine are also at risk. The chances of infection are pretty negligible (0.3%), but they still exist. Cases of infection through dental devices that were poorly processed were recorded.
Before surgery, the patient must take blood for HIV. If the result is positive, health workers follow all safety precautions.
Are there any preventative measures?
Ways to get infected with HIV have been described above, but are there any preventative measures? Many people think that you need to constantly wash your hands, disinfect the room and everything like that. But this is not so. Remember: you can get infected only if the patient’s blood, sperm or mother’s milk has got on the damaged mucous membrane of a healthy person. To eliminate this, you must do the following:
Always use condoms during sex.
Do not use reusable syringes.
If you find a needle on the street, be sure to dispose of it with gloves so that it does not become a toy for children.
Before planning your pregnancy, get an HIV test.
If the virus was detected in the blood, follow all doctor's recommendations when carrying the fetus.
All these simple rules must be followed by people, and then the disease of the 21st century can be defeated.
Don't be afraid
Many are interested in the question: “How can you not get HIV?”:
Through household items. Even if an infected person lives in the apartment, you should not be afraid to use one towel, cutlery, bed linen and much more.
By airborne droplets.
Through kisses. Scientists have proved that 1 drop of blood is enough for infection. But saliva needs 4 glasses to achieve the necessary concentration.
Through the bite of animals. Mosquitoes, bedbugs and other bloodsuckers cannot be carriers of HIV infection.
Remember: the possibility of contracting HIV in the domestic environment is reduced to zero. No such cases have been recorded in history.
Who should be on the alert
Every person who does not follow basic safety measures has a risk of contracting HIV infection. But there are certain categories of people who are most at risk:
Statistics say that 70% of men become infected with the virus.
We give an analysis
In order to determine if you have a virus, it is enough to take a blood test. This can be done at any district clinic or special medical center. The analysis is completely free. Anyone can pass it. If you want, there is the opportunity to conduct it anonymously. It is enough to donate blood from a vein, and in a few days the answer will be ready.
There are rapid tests that are sold in pharmacies. Their cost is quite high, and the result is ready in 40-50 minutes. It is enough to collect saliva and place on a special test strip that comes with the kit. Doctors are wary of such a diagnosis and do not particularly trust her.
Can the disease be cured?
The chance of contracting HIV in a person who knows everything about this disease is almost zero. Following preventive measures, people save their lives. After all, until now, mankind has not come up with a cure for AIDS.
There are many versions on this score. Some believe that the virus was created artificially to become a weapon of mass destruction against humanity. Whatever it is in fact, no laboratory in the world has a vaccine that could cure a patient.
Of course, pharmaceuticals have stepped far forward; there are drugs that help prolong the lives of HIV patients. They help maintain the body, improve immunity. But this, unfortunately, will only help prolong life, and not cure the disease.
How to protect children?
Everyone who reads the article knows how they become infected with HIV. Is it necessary to tell children and teenagers about this? Undoubtedly. Indeed, their life depends on the information received. You should know that this disease is incurable.
It would seem, how can small children become infected? Elementary. And such cases are not uncommon. The fact is that drug addicts often gather in squares where kids walk. Leaving their syringes with needles in bushes, sandboxes, on a swing, they do not understand what serious danger and food they can bring to children. After all, kids are interested in new items, they are happy to start playing them, not suspecting the danger.
The task of parents is to closely monitor the sites for children. If a syringe is suddenly discovered, dispose of it carefully. If the baby is pricked, it is necessary to take an analysis for the presence of the virus in the blood.
For teens, this information is also important. They need to know how they become infected with HIV and AIDS. No wonder the schools conduct open lessons to study and consider this topic. Those supporters who believe that such lectures are unacceptable for students, as they are still too small, are wrong.
Briefly about the main thing
In conclusion, I would like to remind once again how people become infected with HIV:
Through the blood.
With unprotected sexual contact, when one of the partners is sick.
From mother to baby, through breast milk, the placenta, and during natural birth.
All of these pathways of infection can be avoided. It is enough to observe safety measures:
Use sexual condoms for sexual intercourse. Other methods of contraception do not provide protection against the virus.
Do not use drugs.
In medical institutions use disposable syringes.
The situation is more complicated when the expectant mother has a positive analysis result. Many people ask: "What is the likelihood of a baby becoming infected with HIV?" In fact, the worst result is found only in 30% of cases. If the mother is undergoing special treatment, the crumbs have a chance to be born healthy.
Take care of your health, remember - this is the most valuable thing you have. Unfortunately, AIDS is incurable. Scientists around the world are fighting over the vaccine, but so far to no avail. Therefore, observe basic safety measures and enjoy life to the fullest.