Ways in Which HIV Can Be Transmitted
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that has infected over 35 million people all over the world. In later stages, the virus could evolve into the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS, in which a patient’s organs begin to fail as their immune system is greatly weakened. Because of the lethal nature of AIDS, there are still many people who are extremely wary of HIV patients, for fear of contracting the disease themselves. Some of them still believe that HIV can be transferred through hugging or through the sharing of food. This article, by an hiv clinic in singapore , provides a definitive list of ways that HIV can be transmitted, and a brief description of each method.
General overview of HIV transmission
HIV can only be transferred through specific bodily fluids – namely: vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, seminal fluids, pre-seminal fluids and blood. The only way a person can be infected with HIV is if the mentioned bodily fluids from an infected person comes into contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue, or if they were directly injected into the bloodstream. All of the methods mentioned below will address the different ways that this can actually happen.
Through vaginal or anal sex
This is one of the most common ways that HIV is transmitted. HIV can be transmitted when an infected person engages in vaginal or anal sex, especially so when it is unprotected, i.e. no condom was used. This is because there is direct contact between a bodily fluid that could carry the disease (vaginal, rectal or seminal fluids) and a mucous membrane (the linings of the vagina or rectum, or linings inside the penis).
The highest risk sexual behaviour is receptive anal sex (or bottoming), as the linings inside the rectum absorb fluids very easily. A condom does greatly reduce the risk of contracting HIV, as it provides a latex barrier between the sexual organs of the two parties.
Through the sharing of needles or blood transfusions
HIV can be easily transmitted by drug abusers when they use the same needles to inject drugs into their bloodstream without proper sterilization. This happens as blood from an infected person is injected into the bloodstream of another person, causing the transfer of HIV. This is why HIV was once prevalent amongst users of injectable drugs.
Because of the way HIV is transmitted by blood, blood banks now have more stringent criteria about who can donate blood. It is possible for someone to be infected with HIV if they receive a blood transfusion with infected blood. However, local organisations that deal with blood curb this problem by assessing their blood donors prior to the donation process.
Through pregnancy and drinking breast milk
Most common in more rural countries, a mother can transfer HIV to her newborn either when conceiving the baby or by allowing the baby to drink her breast milk. It is an added responsibility that a mother should be tested for HIV before conceiving or beginning to breastfeed. Those who test HIV positive should begin medication immediately as that reduces the chances of passing on HIV to the baby.
Conclusion
Knowing these HIV transmissions methods can help you better understand when to get a hiv test in singapore.
