AIDS is a real tragedy for the modern world. In Russia in 2018, according to official figures, the number of cases is close to 1,200,000 people. Despite such global numbers of the infected and the dangers of this disease, not all people are aware of the transmission pathways and its consequences. In this article you can find answers to the questions: "What methods of virus infection actually exist?" and “Is AIDS transmitted through a kiss?”
Properties of HIV and AIDS
First of all, it is worth defining the concepts of these two diseases. For most people, HIV and AIDS are abbreviations that mean almost the same thing. But in reality this is not entirely true, and there is a difference between them.
HIV is the abbreviation for human immunodeficiency virus. The main task of this infection is to gradually destroy the body's immune system. An HIV carrier can be unaware of the virus for years, while in the meantime it will destroy it more and more. In the end, this leads to the complete destruction of immunity - the stage of AIDS, and death even from ARVI, since the human body is no longer able to protect itself from harmful infections and bacteria.
In many people with HIV infection, the first stages of infection pass with little or no symptoms. Those who are ill remain in ignorance and the body does not show any signs of the development of a deadly virus. Only 20% of all HIV-infected people in the initial weeks of infection worsen their general well-being, the temperature rises and the lymph nodes in the armpits increase. Severe headaches and an upset gastrointestinal tract can also be observed. Soon the symptoms of infection go away on their own and may not appear for many years. Therefore, it is very important to identify the disease in the AIDS center on time and start treatment as soon as possible. You can check for the presence of the virus not only in specialized institutions, but also in any hospital or clinic.
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AIDS is an acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome. In other words, this is the last stage of HIV. After the body of the infected person is completely weakened and the virus kills the immune system, the symptoms that characterize AIDS appear on a regular basis:
- fatigue;
- gastrointestinal upset - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite;
- lack of coordination;
- weight loss;
- persistent headaches;
- heat.
How long does AIDS manifest?
The stages of the syndrome can occur at different rates. In general, AIDS occurs 2–10 years after becoming infected with HIV and lasts from two to three years. First of all, due to infections, the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system are affected. Further, the condition of the lungs, skin and mucous membranes worsens. Because of the latter, the patient's vision can rapidly deteriorate and complete blindness may occur. As a result, lesions of many systems in the body lead a person to death.
Despite the seriousness and magnitude of the disease, many people still do not know about the ways of transmitting HIV infection and speculate.
Can I get AIDS through a kiss?
At the moment, this version of the virus infection is the most common. And a scientific study revealed that AIDS through saliva is possible. But at the same time, more than two liters of sick person’s fluid is needed. This is due to the low concentration of HIV infection in saliva. Therefore, the likelihood that AIDS will happen through a kiss is negligible.
But the risk of infection may increase if the HIV vector has bleeding wounds in the mouth. And provided that the concentration of the virus in the body will be quite high. Nevertheless, there were no cases in which HIV infection occurred through saliva. But to answer categorically negatively to the question: “Is AIDS transmitted through a kiss?” nevertheless, it is impossible, since such infection is possible, even if only in theory.
But HIV infection through used dishes or towels is certainly impossible. Upon contact with air, the human immunodeficiency virus instantly dies. And the concentration of infection in the salivary fluid of an ordinary sick person is very small. So worry about this is not worth it. But if the question: “Is AIDS transmitted through a kiss?” the answer was found, then what other methods of infection with the virus exist then? More on this later.
HIV transmission routes
First of all, it should be remembered that the highest concentration of the virus is contained in the patient's semen, blood, breast milk and vagina. Thus, if at least one of these fluids enters the body of a healthy person, then infection with HIV infection is almost inevitable. In total, there are three main methods of infection.
AIDS infection through sexual intercourse
And first of all, this concerns unprotected anal sex, in which infection of the virus occurs in 99 out of 100 cases. The thing is that with this type of sex avoid injuries of the small rectal mucosa, due to which the human immunodeficiency infection instantly enters the bloodstream, almost impossible. AIDS through sex is considered the most common way. Despite the fact that due to the high content of infection in semen, it is men who most often pass the immunodeficiency virus.
You can get AIDS through oral sex. In this case, the risk of infection increases if the partner has bleeding wounds or sores in the oral cavity.
Vertical way
The route of infection occurs in the womb, with a cesarean section or with breast milk. With this method, the risk of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus is 30%. Practice shows that a completely healthy baby can be born to an AIDS-infected mother. But for a favorable outcome, constant monitoring of the HIV-infected woman and the fetus, timely cesarean section and artificial feeding from the first days of life are necessary.
A child is diagnosed with the disease only after he is three years old. According to experts, during this period of time, antibodies transmitted with the mother’s blood can disappear and in this case there will be no danger to the baby’s health. But meanwhile, in three years the child may develop its own virus and then he will be diagnosed with HIV.
Through blood or organ transplantation
The last, but no less important way of infection of the virus. Infection with AIDS through the blood most often occurs in health facilities. This can be either a professional infection of a health worker through the blood of an HIV-positive patient, or through poorly crafted instruments in the case of infection of patients. You can also include AIDS through blood transfusion and organ transplantation in this section.
Such methods of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus are currently extremely rare, but still occur. In modern medical facilities, almost all instruments are disposable or undergo thorough processing. Donated blood and transplanted organs are thoroughly checked not only for the presence of HIV infection, but also for other serious viruses.
Also, drug addicts are susceptible to infection through injections and syringes. In the process of taking a dose, a syringe with blood remains repeatedly injected into many people, which inevitably leads to infection with HIV infection.
What are some ways you can or cannot get infected with AIDS?
At the moment, a lot of rumors and conjectures have developed in society about various ways of transmission of infection. But it is worth remembering that most of them have no reason and are only a figment of the imagination of most people. So in what ways is AIDS infection impossible or difficult?
Through insects and animals
There is an opinion that it is possible to get infected with the human immunodeficiency virus through mosquitoes, flies or even midges. In fact, insects are not carriers of the deadly virus, which means that infection by contact with them is impossible. In the case of mosquitoes, they only absorb human blood, but do not let in the liquid of the previous victim. Moreover, there are no officially confirmed data on AIDS infection through such insects.
It is also impossible to become infected with HIV through contact with animals or birds. Representatives of these classes are not carriers of the virus.
Through water or air
As is already known, the human immunodeficiency virus cannot survive in the outside world and quickly dies. The same thing happens in water. Therefore, you can not get HIV through the air, when talking with a patient, in the pool or bath. But only if a person does not decide to have unprotected intercourse in water with an unverified partner. Then the probability of infection with the immunodeficiency virus will be high.
Tactile contact
Also, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus is not possible with hugs and handshakes. The skin protects the body from the harmful effects and infection. The risk of infection occurs only when the patient with HIV and a healthy person will have bleeding wounds on his hands when shaking hands.
As mentioned earlier, to the question: “Is it possible to transmit AIDS through a kiss?” categorical refusal cannot be answered. But in practice it has been shown that no HIV infection was detected in this way. Therefore, you should not be afraid of serious consequences from a regular French kiss. In any case, if a person has suspicions about his possible infection, it is better to undergo a diagnosis at the AIDS center and pass all the necessary tests than to be ignorant.