How is HIV and AIDS transmitted? How is HIV transmitted from person to person? The possibility of infection in the home

HIV and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome caused by this virus is a dangerous and incurable disease. Despite the fact that modern medicine makes it possible to successfully control its development in the human body, the pathology is still completely untreatable and can cause serious, life-threatening complications.

Currently, information about the causes, methods of diagnosis and treatment of HIV / AIDS is publicly available. But according to anonymous surveys, most of the world's sexually active population has little idea of how HIV is transmitted. This leads either to pernicious and sometimes fatal negligence, or vice versa, an almost paranoid fear of infection.

Naturally, both tactics of behavior are wrong. To prevent HIV infection, it is enough to clearly understand the mechanism of the virus entering the human body, the principles of its replication and further development.

The pathogenic microorganism itself practically does not survive outside of biological fluids and tissues, is quite sensitive to environmental pH values, dies when heated to a temperature of 60ºС and above, but remains viable when frozen for a long time.

The immunodeficiency virus remains dangerous in such cases:

inside needles and syringes, but not on their surface, but in the remains of the blood of an infected person - up to 7 days;
dried blood (even at room temperature) - up to a week;
fresh and frozen blood (for example, prepared for transfusion) - throughout the entire storage period;
in biological fluids (semen, breast milk, vaginal secretions) - for a relatively short time;
at a pH level in the range of 7-8, for HIV it dies, getting into the digestive tract, the virus is not found in saliva, feces, sweat.

The main ways of infection are:

unprotected sexual contact with an HIV-infected partner, especially if a sick person has a high viral load and severe symptoms of the disease, the risk of HIV transmission increases if the couple prefers anal, homosexual intercourse;
the use of common syringes with a sick person, which is usually found among drug addicts;
during pregnancy and childbirth from an infected mother to a fetus or newborn child.

Oral sex does not eliminate the risk of infection. Often situations arise when a partner has open wounds and other sources of bleeding in the oral cavity (periodontal disease, etc.). Although doctors think this is unlikely, it is prudent to use a condom for oral sex as well.

All other routes of infection are so unlikely that they are practically not described in the medical literature. In connection with the development of systems for diagnosing and monitoring biological materials, it is almost impossible to become infected through blood transfusion (HIV-infected people are "cut off" at the stage of donor blood donation), transplantation.

Contrary to popular belief, the risk of HIV transmission is negligible through scratches on the skin, bites, of course, provided that both the sick and the healthy person do not embrace, bleeding. In 2008, a case of probable infection of a child from an infected mother through chewed food was described. However, this hypothesis has not received reliable confirmation.

The “domestic” way of HIV transmission is minimal, even if you use common utensils with the patient, including drinking from one glass. Therefore, for a person who is selective in sexual relations, always uses condoms and does not lead an antisocial lifestyle, the likelihood of HIV infection is minimal.

during anal sex with an HIV-positive partner - 0.1 - 7.5%;
unprotected vaginal contact with unknown HIV status - 0.03 - 5.6%;
unprotected anal contact with unknown HIV status - 0.06 - 0.6 (provided there are no cracks in the rectum and perianal region);
unprotected with intact oral mucosa - about 0.03%.

The so-called "vertical" transmission of HIV from an infected mother to the fetus is possible in 40% of infants. This figure is significantly reduced if a woman takes drugs prescribed by a doctor. With direct blood-to-blood contact, the risk of infection is almost 100%.

How HIV is transmitted: myths and reality

A huge number of misconceptions about the ways of HIV infection often leads to complete social isolation of patients. This creates severe psychological discomfort, often causing suicide and refusing treatment. But few people know that against the background of appropriate therapy, infection from an HIV-infected person is unlikely.

Numerous examples of married couples, when only the husband or wife is sick, demonstrate that it is quite safe for oneself to arrange life with an HIV-positive partner and have a child.

So how is HIV transmitted?

According to many people, the least likely ways to get infected with the immunodeficiency virus are:

kisses. The acid-base reaction of human saliva is unfavorable for the virion, so even getting "infected" saliva on the wound will not cause infection. The only variant of HIV transmission through kissing looks unlikely - in the presence of open bleeding wounds on the lips and in the oral cavity of both partners. Moreover, infection is impossible with kisses on the cheek, etc.
Through a condom. Experts assure that this method of contraception is the most reliable way to protect against HIV. However, recent studies have shown that virions can penetrate the pores of latex, especially with intense friction (for example, anal contact without "lubrication"). But even taking into account the possible risk (and it does not exceed hundredths of a percent), a condom is in any case better than unprotected intercourse. But even if you follow the rules for preventing infection, it is better to avoid sex with an HIV-infected person who is not receiving appropriate therapy.
Household transmission of HIV. The virus is able to persist for a long time in the blood, and to a lesser extent - in biological fluids (semen, vaginal secretions). HIV is absent from urine and other feces, saliva, etc. Therefore, in everyday life, it is necessary to avoid contact only with the blood of a sick person, which is possible when using a razor, epilator, toothbrush, etc. Dishes, bedding and other similar household items are completely safe.
Insect bites. Studies have previously been conducted to examine the likelihood of HIV being transmitted from one person to another by mosquitoes and other insects. All scientists have come to the conclusion that this is impossible. And this applies to both our country and Asian and African regions.
When visiting a dentist, laboratory, performing medical procedures. The risk of transmission of the virus by a needle containing infected biological material is about 0.3%. Moreover, the probability increases when the skin is damaged by a needle used for blood sampling. When visiting a dental office or a medical institution that meets all the requirements and standards, it is absolutely safe. The same applies to tattoo parlors and cosmetologists. Standard sterilization methods kill virions quickly and effectively.
When performing manicure and pedicure. When visiting a master of a similar profile, one should be more wary of viral hepatitis. When using tools that do not damage the surface of the skin, HIV infection is impossible. However, the risk of infection remains if there are traces of the blood of a sick person on the surface of the nippers, shoulder blades. Therefore, when visiting the master, it is necessary to pay attention to compliance with the conditions of disinfection. A number of experts advise purchasing your own manicure tools.

Transmission of the virus into the body through the blood and its preparations is currently unlikely. Since 1985, all donated blood has been tested for HIV-1, and since 1989 for HIV-2 as well. The obtained material is checked by PCR. In addition, people with a behavioral risk category (suffering from drug addiction or having casual sex), emigrants from countries that are disadvantaged in terms of HIV incidence statistics are excluded from the number of voluntary donors.

How HIV is transmitted: infection of a child during and after pregnancy, methods of prevention

According to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the number of pregnant women infected with HIV increased 600 times between 1995 and 2007. And if earlier the risk of infection of a child was about 40%, now, thanks to antiretroviral therapy and drug prophylaxis in a newborn, this figure has decreased to 3-5%.

Transmission of HIV from an infected mother can occur in the following ways:

antenatally(through the placenta, amniotic membranes, amniotic fluid, during certain therapeutic and diagnostic manipulations);
intrapartum(with blood when the child passes through the birth canal), therefore, pregnant women with HIV are shown a caesarean section, performed according to a special technique;
postnatally (after birth during lactation).

Intrauterine infection can occur at any stage of pregnancy. Confirmation of a positive diagnosis of HIV in the fetus (starting from the 8th week of gestation) is the detection of specific antigens in the amniotic fluid and placental tissue. However, in the vast majority of sick women, the infection of the child occurs towards the end of the last trimester.

The following factors contribute to the transmission of the virus:

complications during pregnancy (infections, hypoxia, genetic pathologies, etc.);
dysfunction of the placenta;
complications during childbirth;
use of pregnant alcohol, drugs, smoking;
malnutrition;
promiscuity.

The decision to prescribe treatment depends on the viral load, the manifestation of the symptoms of the disease. Before taking the appropriate drugs, the state of the woman's immune system must be assessed. The dosage is selected in such a way as to slow down the development of the virus as much as possible and at the same time weaken the teratogenic effect.

To avoid infection, you must follow these rules:

use a condom during sexual intercourse, ideally limit the number of sexual partners as much as possible, avoid casual one-time relationships;
monitor the disinfection of instruments when visiting hospitals, dental, beauty parlors, etc.;
use only your personal hygiene items (razors, toothbrushes, etc.);
for each administration of drugs, use a new sterile syringe, and during medical procedures, ensure that the syringe is opened in the presence of the patient.

Understanding how HIV is transmitted is the first step to reliable infection prevention. Doctors emphasize that the incidence of HIV/AIDS is constantly rising, so precautions will never be superfluous. Do not neglect regular examinations and tests.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the latest stage of HIV infection, in which opportunistic diseases occur. HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. It has a detrimental effect on immune cells that have CD-4 receptors on their surface. These include T-helpers, Langerhans cells, monocytes and others. HIV not only reduces the number of these cells, but also affects their ability to function normally.

Types

A virus consists of a core and a shell. The nucleus contains genetic information (RNA) and enzymes. The shell consists of glycoproteins capable of interacting with CD-4 receptors.

HIV is divided into two types: HIV-1 and HIV-2. The second is more common on the African continent, and the first is found everywhere. This virus is very volatile, which creates difficulties in the way of creating a vaccine. It quickly dies in the external environment under the influence of high temperatures, changes in the acid-base balance and antiseptics.

The virus is resistant to ultraviolet and radiation. When dried, the virus most often dies, so infection usually occurs through contact with fresh (not dried) material.

Ways of infection

There are certain risk groups for HIV infection. These include homosexuals, injection drug addicts, prostitutes. There are also occupational risk groups that include healthcare workers who deal with blood and other biological materials. But, regardless of belonging to the risk group, no one is immune from HIV infection.

There are such ways of transmission of HIV infection:

Sexual way - the most common. It accounts for approximately 85% of all infections. Anal sex is especially dangerous, as the rectal mucosa is very thin and well supplied with blood. This causes a high risk of infection in homosexuals. In second place are vaginal intercourse, with which women become infected much more often than men. In the case of “incomplete” sexual intercourse, that is, when the penis is removed from the vagina before ejaculation, the risk of infection is less, but it still exists. When asked whether it is possible to get HIV through oral sex, the answer is also yes, but the likelihood of such infection is much lower, and it usually occurs when there are wounds or inflammation in the mouth.
Infection during blood transfusion occurs in about 5% of cases. Although donated blood should be tested for HIV antibodies, not all blood is safe because antibodies do not appear in the blood immediately after infection.
When using one syringe or injection needle (common among drug addicts).
From mother to child during gestation and childbirth, as well as during breastfeeding.
Infection is also possible when tattooing, piercing the ears with contaminated instruments. It is especially dangerous to get infected biological materials into the eye, since with this route of HIV infection, the risk of infection is about 95%, as with transfusions of infected blood. The other paths are much less dangerous.

In order not to unnecessarily discriminate against infected people, it is necessary to know not only how HIV infection is transmitted, but also how it is not transmitted.

Important! Sneezing or coughing does not spread HIV. When asked whether it is possible to become infected with HIV through saliva, the answer is unambiguously negative, since saliva, urine, lacrimal fluid and feces contain a negligible concentration of viral particles that cannot lead to infection (not a single case has been recorded).

Kissing in the vast majority of cases is just as safe if both partners do not have bleeding wounds and sores in their mouths. The airborne route and communication (conversation) in no case can become a way of transmitting HIV infection.

Stages of the disease

During HIV infection, several stages (periods) are distinguished:

incubation period.
Stage of primary symptoms (divided into asymptomatic course, acute uncomplicated infection, acute infection with secondary diseases).
subclinical stage.
The period of secondary diseases.
Terminal stage (AIDS).

Symptoms

The first signs of HIV usually appear two weeks after infection. Mild fever, sore throat, lymphadenopathy, sometimes rash, diarrhea, and general malaise may occur. Soon, these symptoms subside and, as a rule, are attributed to a cold. Then come years and even decades of latent asymptomatic course.

Worth knowing! These years, when patients feel well, are the main difference between HIV infection and AIDS. At this time, the production of specific immunoglobulins for the virus begins. This reaction, unfortunately, is not enough, but the detection of these immunoglobulins can help in the diagnosis.

In addition, during the development of infection, various groups of lymph nodes can be enlarged, mainly cervical, occipital, axillary and inguinal. The liver and spleen are also enlarged.

Then steadily comes the stage of AIDS. It is characterized by a decrease in T-helpers to 200 units in one cubic millimeter of blood and the appearance of opportunistic infections associated with a decrease in immunity. These include infectious diseases caused by protozoa (toxoplasma, pneumocystis and others), fungi (candidiasis, cryptococci), bacteria (legionella, salmonella and others) and viruses (CMV, herpesvirus and others).

Lung injury

Quite often, pneumocystis pneumonia can be detected in HIV-infected people. It is characterized by an acute onset, fever, headaches, malaise, sweating, chest pain, pronounced shortness of breath (rapid breathing up to 50/min.) and cough with pink frothy discharge. At the same time, supple places of the chest can be drawn in during inspiration, cyanosis appears. With this type of pneumonia, the alveolar walls swell and collapse. Exudate with a high content of eosinophils is released into the lumen of the alveoli.

Also, the lungs can be affected by rhodococcus (Rhodococcus equi). Most often, such pneumonia occurs in HIV-infected patients who have been in contact with livestock. In patients with this, there is a prolonged fever, cough, general malaise, chest pain. The x-ray may show decay cavities and expansion of the roots of the lungs. Possible exudative pleurisy.

Pseudomonas pneumonia in HIV is usually indolent.

CNS lesion

The human immunodeficiency virus is tropic (tends to influence) not only to leukocytes, but also to neuroglial cells, in particular, to astrocytes. In this regard, the brain can be affected by the virus primarily. Also, with HIV, autoimmune cross-reactions with damage to glial cells can occur.

Important. Toxoplasma in AIDS, as a rule, affects the brain with the development of its inflammation (encephalitis) with necrosis, abscesses, hematomas. In addition, the heart muscle may be affected.

Cryptococcosis causes encephalitis with jelly-like necrotic softening of the brain tissue.

Damage to the gastrointestinal tract and oral cavity

Quite often (20% of cases), HIV infection causes damage to the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, abdominal pain, liver enlargement), which is not associated with a specific pathogen. In such situations, the immunodeficiency virus itself is thought to infect the digestive system.

Also, the digestive tract with AIDS can be affected by giardia, amoeba, salmonella, cryptosporidium and other pathogens.

Candidiasis in AIDS is usually more severe than in ordinary patients. It can appear both in typical places (in the mouth, on the genitals), and in atypical places, characteristic only for people with reduced immunity (candidal esophagitis with mucosal hypertrophy, fungal infection of the hair follicles).

Viral infections

Patients with HIV often suffer from herpesvirus and cytomegalovirus infections. Herpes in such patients is more prolonged and prone to generalization. In them, in addition to the labial form, herpetic stomatitis, esophagitis, lesions of the perianal region and genitals, herpes lesions of the skin of the cheeks, ears and forehead can occur. It is also possible that herpetic lesions of the central nervous system with the occurrence of meningitis and encephalitis, inflammatory changes in the cerebrospinal fluid with a predominance of lymphocytes.

Cytomegalovirus infection contributes to the more rapid development of HIV. It can affect the central nervous system, with meningitis and encephalitis developing. Often the retina is also affected, with visual impairment. CMV lesions of the digestive tract with inflammation of the salivary glands, esophagus, stomach and intestines are not uncommon.

Tumors

In addition, malignant neoplasms are much more common in AIDS. These include Kaposi's sarcoma and various lymphomas.

Kaposi's sarcoma usually presents with plaques with infiltrates, nodules, and ulcers, mostly on the arms and legs. Over time, the sarcoma spreads throughout the body of AIDS patients and affects the lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract, lungs and other body systems.

Burkitt's lymphoma is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. A typical place of its localization is the upper jaw, but damage to other organs and systems is also possible.

Lymphoma of the brain occurs frequently in AIDS and causes focal neurological disorders. Her prognosis is unfavorable.

In women with HIV, malignant lesions of the cervix are frequent, which proceed very unfavorably with the rapid appearance of metastases and a significant decrease in life expectancy (up to several months).

Lymphomas in HIV are usually characterized by proliferation of B cells with CNS involvement.

Diagnostics

First, a clinical examination of the patient is performed to identify the characteristic signs of HIV infection, such as lymphadenopathy and opportunistic infections.

Important. A decrease in the number of T-helpers in a blood test may prompt the idea of \u200b\u200ba disease.

For analysis, biological materials are taken: blood (used most often), cerebrospinal fluid, biopsy specimens of lymph nodes.

Antibodies to HIV are determined in two ways: immunofluorescent (ELISA) analysis and immunoblotting. ELISA is usually used as part of screening tests, and immunoblotting is used to exclude false positive reactions.

In order to 100% eliminate false positive reactions, methods are needed that isolate not antibodies, but HIV antigens. These methods include polymerase chain reaction and molecular hybridization. These methods are based on the study of the virus genome.

Viral load is the detection of the amount of virus RNA in the blood serum. Normally, the viral load in HIV is from 0 to 20,000 virus cells per 1 ml of blood. Higher rates are already a danger signal.

Treatment

It's important to know! Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to completely kill the virus. But with the right treatment, you can significantly improve the quality of life of the patient and increase its duration.

In addition to medication, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and proper diet.

Drugs that slow down the development of HIV infection are divided into several classes:

nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Zalcitabine, Stavudine, Nevirapine);
protease inhibitors (ritonavir);
integrase inhibitors and others.

There are also combined drugs from these groups. Usually a combination of several such drugs of various effects is used. All of these drugs affect how long it takes for HIV to show up and how long it takes for it to become AIDS.

In addition, opportunistic infections are treated. To do this, use antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal drugs, in some cases, the affected areas are treated with antiseptic solutions.

It's important to know! Self-medication for this disease can not only not help, but also harm. Therefore, at the first sign of HIV, you should immediately seek medical help.

Prevention

In case of contact with contaminated materials, emergency post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection should be carried out. If the contact occurred at the workplace in the course of the performance of duties, the case must be officially registered.

The affected area is treated with soapy water and washed under plenty of running water. Do not use irritating substances such as alcohol or iodine. In the event of a needle prick, it is not recommended to squeeze out blood, as this may contribute to the penetration of infection into the tissues. After that, prophylactic antiretroviral drugs are taken, which should begin within three days and last about a month.

It's important to know! To increase life expectancy, it is necessary for the patient to know his HIV status in a timely manner, as this will allow him to start antiretroviral therapy on time and adhere to the necessary safety measures so as not to infect other people. In addition, when planning a pregnancy, knowing the HIV status allows you to start prophylaxis in a timely manner to reduce the likelihood of infection of the fetus.

Other sexually transmitted infections increase the risk of HIV infection, as they damage and inflame the mucous membrane of the genital organs, which makes it easier for the virus to enter the body

Unfortunately, there is no effective vaccination against HIV infection today, but its development is already underway. In order to reduce the spread of the infection, the population is being educated about precautions to avoid infection.

Important. When used correctly, condoms are 100% resistant to infection, but there are times when they break or come off.

At the first sign of HIV, you should immediately consult a doctor.

For injecting drug users, there are special programs that allow you to exchange used syringes and needles for new ones. However, in order not to become infected with HIV, a complete abstinence from drugs is needed.

HIV takes more and more lives every year. The number of infected people is not decreasing. The virus has been studied quite well by doctors and ways to prolong the life of the patient have been identified, although there is still no vaccine for the treatment of HIV infection. Know how HIV is transmitted; It is known that without treatment, the disease passes into the most difficult stage - AIDS. To protect yourself from infection, you need to know how HIV is transmitted.

The main danger of the human immunodeficiency virus is the weakening of the immune system due to the destruction of its cells. The virus is found only in laboratory tests.

How HIV is transmitted has long been known. The infection can be transmitted from person to person through body fluids: breast milk, blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid. For the spread of the virus, contact with the carrier of the disease and in a healthy person is necessary. Through this damage, the virus cells enter the bloodstream, and the person becomes infected.

You can acquire HIV infection in the following ways:

sexual;
parenteral;
vertical (from mother to child).

There are also natural and artificial ways of infection.

Man-made routes of transmission of HIV infection include:

(for example, for) without a sterilization process;
transfusion of infected blood or components of this blood;
organ or tissue transplantation from an HIV-infected donor;
use of razors or other household appliances, .

Natural transmission routes of HIV infection are associated with sexual contact, as well as with the mother-child system.

Infection with AIDS is not possible through ordinary household contact.

sexual transmission of the disease

The most likely route of infection is sexual contact. The risk of getting infected from an infected person is very high. When friction occurs on the mucous membranes of the genitals, microdamages occur. Through them, the virus cells enter the blood of a healthy partner and begin their destructive action. Unprotected sexual contact at times increases the risk of infection. This is especially true for people who often change sexual partners.

The risk of developing a disease during anal sex is much higher than with traditional contact. In the anus there are no glands capable of producing secretions. Anal sexual contact inevitably leads to microtrauma. At the moment after the break of the condom, it is easy to become a carrier of the virus. It is easier for a woman to get infected from an infected man than vice versa.

If the couple is homosexual, then the passive partner's risk of contracting HIV is higher than the active partner's. Among same-sex couples, lesbian caresses are considered safe. Infection with the virus through a vibrator is unlikely. It is still recommended to wash the device with a hygienic agent when sharing.

The probability of infection with regular sex without a condom with a carrier of the virus is one hundred percent.

The risk of HIV infection is greatly increased if partners have ulcers, inflammatory processes on the mucous membranes of the genital organs, if HIV infection is accompanied by sexually transmitted diseases.

Parenteral route of transmission of HIV infection

In the last decade, the likelihood of contracting HIV in this way has decreased significantly. This risk of infection exists in people with drug dependence. The use of one syringe for several people increases the likelihood of infection with the immunodeficiency virus.

There was a wide public outcry when a nurse in a hospital in the Stavropol Territory gave injections to children, presumably with one syringe.

Visiting beauty salons at home increases the possibility of acquiring infection through contaminated manicure tools. Especially dangerous is the use without processing needles in tattoo parlors. Sterilization of medical instruments eliminates the risk of infection.

Transfusion of blood that has not been tested under laboratory conditions also refers to the indicated route of transmission of the disease. At the present stage of development of the security system, this risk is minimized.

Vertical transmission of HIV infection

The myth that an exceptionally sick child is born from a pregnant mother with HIV-positive status has been debunked. The probability of infection of a child from an HIV-infected mother is quite high.

The vertical route of transmission of the virus is possible from a sick mother to the fetus in utero; during the passage of the child's birth canal or after birth, through breast milk.

But competent management of pregnancy and delivery reduces the risk. HIV infection in a pregnant woman is an indication for delivery by caesarean section. If the baby is not infected in the womb, operative delivery protects him from infection in the birth canal.

Until the age of three, the mother's antibodies remain in the blood of the child. If, after the indicated age, the antibodies disappear, it means that the pregnant mother did not transmit the virus to the child.

At-risk groups

HIV risk groups include:

people with drug addiction;
people who prefer promiscuity and do not use barrier protection;
women with reduced social responsibility;
prisoners serving sentences in colonies;
medical workers who work in healthcare organizations that are intended for people with HIV-positive status;
medical personnel who have direct contact with various human biological fluids;
persons in need of organ or tissue transplantation, blood transfusion;
whose mothers are HIV positive.

If you follow the simplest rules of hygiene and attentive attitude to professional duties, the chance of contracting HIV is minimal. Surgeons, dentists, laboratory assistants who are at risk for HIV infection should pay special attention to their health.

There are people who, knowing about their HIV-positive status, deliberately engage in unprotected sexual intercourse with a healthy partner. In Russia, criminal liability is provided for this act.

How not to get HIV

The probability of contracting HIV in a domestic way exists only in theory. Virus cells are unstable in the external environment. Practical sources do not describe a single case of household acquisition of the virus.
HIV is not transmitted through saliva. Indeed, the cells of the virus are in saliva. However, their number is so small that it is not enough for infection.
When sweat or tears from an infected person come into contact with healthy skin, infection does not occur.
The immunodeficiency virus is not transmitted by airborne droplets.
The risk of transmission of the disease in public places, with handshakes and hugs is reduced to zero.
The probability of HIV transmission by inheritance is also zero.
The probability of infection is small, but still it exists if there are bleeding wounds or scratches in the oral cavity of one or both partners. There are only a few precedents in the world when a person became infected orally.
It is impossible to catch AIDS at all, in principle. AIDS is not a separate disease, it is the final stage of HIV infection, when the immune system is completely suppressed. The development of this stage can be avoided if you consult a doctor in a timely manner and fulfill all prescriptions.

HIV prevention

Methods of transmission of HIV are known. This article describes the ways in which the likelihood of contracting HIV is minimal or zero. The main preventive measures are aimed at sanitary education of the population. Subject to the elementary rules of behavior and hygiene, an infected person without the risk of becoming infected.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cannot exist on its own and constantly needs a carrier. It needs a human cell to reproduce. It is important to know how HIV is transmitted in order to prevent infection. Indeed, if in the external environment the virus dies from the action of 70% alcohol or boiling, then in the human body the disease causes serious changes. For some time, this problem goes unnoticed when the immune system keeps the HIV virus. But after a few years, a person has a lot of health problems.

Main routes of HIV transmission

Mechanisms of transmission of infection:

Unprotected intercourse (without a condom).
Through a blood transfusion.
By injecting drugs.
From mother to child (through breast milk, in utero).

For prevention, you should know how infection occurs. Most likely through sexual contact. It is easier for women to get infected. The fact is that the area of the vaginal mucosa is much larger than that of men. Moreover, sexual intercourse has a higher percentage of infection than other methods. The addict's needle is also very dangerous, so addicts use disposable syringes. An HIV-infected mother can infect a child during fetal development or through breast milk.

What is the likelihood of contracting HIV

Methods of transmission of infection and the likelihood of infection:

The chance of getting a disease by getting the blood of a sick person to a healthy one is 100%. A very small amount is enough to get the disease. A scratch or bloody wound, a blood transfusion, a reusable syringe - everything can cause infection.
Sexually. Unprotected sexual intercourse is especially dangerous for infecting women, since the area of absorption of the virus is much larger (3 times more likely than in men). With a condom, the probability of getting infected is very small, but there is. Some scientific experiments have shown that there is a possibility of virus penetration through latex (from 0.01% to 0.1%).

Through what fluids is HIV transmitted, other than the above? The breast milk of an infected mother for an infant gives a 20% certainty of infection. You should give up lactation to avoid this by feeding the baby artificially.
Is HIV transmitted orally? With this act, the risk of infection is very small. For example, with a blowjob, the risk of infection is approximately 0.03%, if a woman has bloody wounds in her mouth, the probability increases. During cunnilingus, the likelihood of getting HIV is minimal if there are no wounds in the man's mouth, because saliva does not contain the virus. Otherwise, the risk is very high, because the secret fluid in women contains HIV.
The likelihood of infection during anal intercourse is extremely small. After the appearance of microcracks due to sexual intercourse, the risk increases to 1% (passive partner) and up to 0.6 for the active one.
Unborn children can become infected from infected mothers during pregnancy, this method is called "vertical". In this case, the risk is very high if certain drugs are not taken. Without special therapy, the probability according to statistics is 15-20%, thanks to drugs, the figure drops to 1-2%.

Can HIV be transmitted?

There are many misconceptions about how HIV is transmitted. For example, you can not get infected with it through a handshake, shared dishes, bed linen, in public transport, and so on. The myth that HIV is transmitted by airborne droplets has no scientific basis. To prevent the occurrence of a deadly disease, it is important to take preventive measures. But first, it is useful to know how the virus spreads, and in what ways it is not transmitted.

Through a kiss

The answer to the question: "Is it possible to get HIV through saliva?" quite affirmative - it is impossible. This liquid does not contain the immunodeficiency virus. With a kiss, the likelihood of infection is almost absent. However, it is worth remembering that the disease is transmitted through the blood. If, for example, the lips or mouth of both partners are damaged, there is a possibility.

Through a condom

If you protect yourself during intercourse with a condom, then the likelihood of infection is reduced to a minimum. However, some scientists have conducted experiments and found that latex in rare cases passes virus cells. The risk of penetration through latex reaches 0.1%. In this regard, it is recommended to refuse any sexual contact with infected people to prevent the disease.

At home

How is HIV transmitted in the home? The virus does not live separately from a person, so it is difficult to get it at home. But if you use a common razor or toothbrush with an infected one, the disease will be transmitted if infected blood enters a healthy person. The use of a personal razor, brush, and the absence of any contact with the blood of an infected person are the basic rules for those who live with an HIV-infected person.

From a mosquito

At the dentist

For twenty years, not a single case of infection in the dentist's office has been recorded. How HIV infection is transmitted is known. Blood contains virus molecules, but outside the human body they quickly die. Standard procedure for instrument disinfection, oven sterilization and dental gloves ensure the absence of live pests and the transmission of deadly diseases.

When manicure

Those who are afraid to remove burrs and file their nails in the salon do not need to be afraid of the manicurist's tools. There is no such way of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. The molecules of this disease quickly die outside the body, and the instruments are sterilized after each client. In the entire history of the discovery of a deadly disease, no one has yet received it during a manicure.

How not to get HIV

Compliance with the following rules will protect against infection with a deadly virus:

Protection during sexual intercourse. It doesn't really matter if a man doesn't want to use a condom. Life and health is much more important!
For medical procedures, use disposable syringes opened immediately before the procedure.
Visit only proven beauty salons and dental clinics with a good reputation

Symptoms of HIV infection

The question of how long HIV manifests itself does not have a specific answer. Each body fights disease differently. Sometimes signs appear after 14 days in the form of:

Elevated temperature.
Inflamed lymph nodes.
Drowsiness.
Fever.
Fear of bright light.
Runny nose.
Cough.
Rash.

The first symptoms resemble colds and disappear after 15-30 days. Most infected people do not experience or notice discomfort at the initial stage. During the incubation period, HIV may not manifest itself in any way. Sometimes a person at this time does not even know about his illness. After some time, secondary diseases appear, the consequences of which for the body, as a rule, are severe.

The worst stage in the development of the virus is AIDS. The disease lasts within 6-24 months. It has individual features and forms:

Lung injury (most common).
Problems with the intestines.
In the form of a nervous illness.
Mucosal damage.
Skin rash.

Depending on the form of AIDS, a secondary disease develops. Immunity is not able to fight it and the virus becomes fatal for a person. To live with such a problem, some get up to 25 years, it all depends on the body and methods of treatment. Individuals, in rare cases, die within a year. According to medical data, the average life expectancy of those infected is 12 years.

Not a small number of people do not know how they become infected with AIDS. Something they heard, read, but did not fully understand.

Now there is a lot of information on the Internet, saying that the epidemic of the "plague of the century" is gaining momentum. This is problem number one, the answer to which has not yet been found.

How to get AIDS is available:

Nobody hides - there are already more than 40 million HIV-infected patients in the world. The main share is young residents under 30 years old. Many do not understand, we are talking about AIDS, HIV is mentioned. What is the connection?

The most direct - I will try to explain in a simpler way.

How to decipher HIV, what does it mean:

This is the human immunodeficiency virus, a tiny microorganism.
From above it is covered with a protein coat. Inside it contains genetic material in the form of two RNA molecules. When it enters the body, it hides by introducing it into the hereditary substance of the cell.
As long as the infected cell grows and multiplies safely, the virus goes through all the cycles of reproduction along with it. The problem is that our immunity detects it after three or four months, and not immediately. After all, he still needed to be recognized.
If antibodies to HIV are found in the blood, the result will be positive.
If they are not, it is negative.
The test is done more than once to confirm the diagnosis. Usually after three months.
This is where killer cells come into play. They are called T4. It is these cells that protect us from SARS and other infections. Before the HIV virus, they are powerless. It is stronger, calmly destroys T4 cells, puts other cells on alert - T8. This type of cell turns off the immune system of the patient.

Deterioration of health:

The body temperature rises (you can’t lower it even with medicines).
Lymph nodes increase, especially on the neck (from 1 to 5 centimeters).
The tonsils are inflamed.
The person becomes weak, sweaty at night, sleeps badly.
I do not want to eat.
Examination shows an enlarged spleen and liver.
The patient suffers from frequent diarrhea.
Some people have esophagitis (inflamed esophagus).
A rash is visible on the skin.
Blood tests will already show whether a person is infected. Until this period (three months) nothing is determined. Doctors call it the “window period”. There will be an increase in lymphocytes, leukocytes.
Mononuclear cells are present.
This period lasts two weeks, then all the symptoms simply disappear without a trace.

Disease development:

For five or seven years, the virus does not manifest itself at all. He does his job quietly - kills a person. If you look inside the patient at this time, we will see a decreasing number of protective cells, T8 cells, on the contrary, multiply, their number is growing rapidly.

Everything - a person is defenseless against any infection: herpes or tuberculosis, SARS. Immunity is also powerless before internal infections: fungi, bacteria. In a healthy body, they always live, immunity does not allow them to multiply, but not in this situation.

Any of the infections listed above can lead to the end of life. This final stage is called AIDS.

Stages of HIV infection:

Latent or incubation period.
Primary infectious manifestations.
Secondary manifestations of infection (at this stage, it is most often detected).
Terminal stage.

How to decipher AIDS:

Now, perhaps, it is clear what AIDS is. It is easy to decipher it - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
This is the stage of all kinds of infections from tuberculosis and pneumonia, damage to the nervous system, malignant neoplasms. There is no cure for AIDS.
Although at the very beginning the patient could have been helped - scientists have invented a medicine that prevents the virus from being introduced into the hereditary substance of immune cells.
This would stop its development. But time is lost, you only have to take drugs that facilitate the course of the disease.

Where did the virus come from:

To this day, there is no consensus, as well as on the question of where man came from on earth. Some argue about a bacteriological weapon, which is a virus, to destroy a person on earth.
Others talk about some meteorite that flew in from space to us. The most real is the mutation of the virus from chimpanzee monkeys and its gradual adaptation to the human body.
The infection came from natives who ate the meat of infected animals. There are many hypotheses, only irrefutable evidence.
The sad thing is that the largest number of infected patients is in Russia. Officially - more than 200,000 thousand people. Experts are sure that there are more than a million of them.

How can you get AIDS and how is it transmitted:

We have the opinion that such patients are entirely drug addicts, representatives of sexual minorities or persons who have a large number of partners in sex.
Trouble can hit anyone.
Transmission routes are officially approved and proven. In humans, four biological fluids are capable of containing a concentration of the virus sufficient for infection. These are blood, semen, breast milk, vaginal discharge.

Transmission routes:

From mother to child:

An infected woman transmits the virus to her child during pregnancy, then a great risk is during childbirth or breastfeeding. This route of transmission is estimated at 20-45%.
Modern medicine has drugs that reduce the chance of infection by up to 6% if treated during pregnancy.
All children after birth have antibodies to the virus, whether they are infected or not. This is due to their passage through the mother's placenta.
If the baby is healthy, they will disappear by one and a half years. Starting from this age, you can determine whether the baby is sick or not.

Through objects and blood contaminated with blood:

You don’t have to go far for examples - syringes without sterilization transmit a virus from an infected person to a healthy one.
The most common risk group is drug addicts with the use of "high" through injections or shared syringes.
You need to be careful in tattoo parlors, when piercing your ears, manicure, pedicure. With untreated instruments, the risk of infection is high.
The virus is transmitted through a razor, a patient's toothbrush. The risk is less, but there is.
Infection will also occur through wounds when an infection enters.
When transfusing blood, the risk is minimal, there the blood must be checked.
During anal sex without the use of a condom, vaginal or oral. Of great importance is the general use of sex toys without a condom, with a torn or slipped condom. It doesn't matter if the man with you is a partner or a woman.
We do not exclude petting due to the presence of wounds and infected fluid, their contact.

How not to get AIDS and HIV:

It is never transmitted due to household contacts or the term of doctors - by airborne droplets.
Safely:
Dance with a sick person, hug.
Eat from one plate.
Swim in the same pool.
Go to a shared toilet.
Travel together in crowded vehicles.
Kissing (if the mucous membranes of the lips or oral cavity are not damaged).
All ticks, flies, mosquitoes, fleas do not carry the virus.

How to avoid infection:

Always use a condom when having sex with an unfamiliar partner.
Follow the processing of tools in service salons (manicure, tattoo).
Do not use drugs, among them up to 90% use them intravenously. So many people are infected.

Don't waste your life!

There are people on earth, even when in contact with the infected, they do not become infected with the virus. They found mutated genes responsible for the production of specific proteins in immune cells.

These proteins make contact with the virus, but are unable to interact with it. Because they are "wrong, mutated." HIV dies due to the inability to infiltrate cells for reproduction.

Scientists seized on this phenomenon to manufacture drugs for HIV, and therefore AIDS.

Well, we briefly met - how they get AIDS. Learn what HIV is. If you or your family have this trouble, do not despair, do not blame yourself. We all make mistakes - we are human. The weak are sometimes impossibly strong, when it concerns others - there is only one way out, to be treated

Let me wish you health and recovery if you are sick.

Always looking forward to the site.