HIV transmission
HIV transmission
HIV is present to variable degrees in the blood and genital secretions of almost all individuals infected with HIV.The spread of HIV can occur when these secretions come in contact with tissues such as those lining the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes (the mucus membranes), or with a break in the skin, such as from a cut or puncture by a needle. The most common ways in which HIV is spreading throughout the world include sexual contact, sharing needles, and by transmission from infected mothers to their newborns during pregnancy, labour, or breastfeeding. However HIV-2 is transmitted less frequently from pregnant mother to her child and sexual route than HIV-1. The different modes of transmission of HIV are:
Sexual intercourse:
The most common means of transmission of HIV is unprotected sexual activity. This occurs when secretions from an infected come into contact with genital, oral, or rectal mucous membranes of an uninfected person.
Blood transmission:
Transmission of HIV through blood happens during intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, organ transplantation, and sharing blood stained objects such as razor blades, needles and injections. Professions such as nurses and tattooists pose a high risk of infecting themselves.
Transmission from mother to child:
This can happen during pregnancy, during childbirth or through breast milk. The rate and extent of transmission of virus to a foetus and babies can be reduced by having the mother and infant taking prophylaxis antiretroviral drugs.
Other routes:
HIV can also be transmitted by saliva, tears and urine of HIV positive individuals but this is very unlikely thus posing little risk.
Facts about HIV Transmission
HIV cannot survive for too long outside of the body. The virus cannot be transmitted through using the same toilet seat, sharing cutlery or drinking glasses, shaking hands, hugging, kissing or insect bites. Even if an infected person is regularly taking antiretroviral medication they
HIV is present to variable degrees in the blood and genital secretions of almost all individuals infected with HIV.The spread of HIV can occur when these secretions come in contact with tissues such as those lining the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes (the mucus membranes), or with a break in the skin, such as from a cut or puncture by a needle. The most common ways in which HIV is spreading throughout the world include sexual contact, sharing needles, and by transmission from infected mothers to their newborns during pregnancy, labour, or breastfeeding. However HIV-2 is transmitted less frequently from pregnant mother to her child and sexual route than HIV-1. The different modes of transmission of HIV are:
Sexual intercourse:
The most common means of transmission of HIV is unprotected sexual activity. This occurs when secretions from an infected come into contact with genital, oral, or rectal mucous membranes of an uninfected person.
Blood transmission:
Transmission of HIV through blood happens during intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, organ transplantation, and sharing blood stained objects such as razor blades, needles and injections. Professions such as nurses and tattooists pose a high risk of infecting themselves.
Transmission from mother to child:
This can happen during pregnancy, during childbirth or through breast milk. The rate and extent of transmission of virus to a foetus and babies can be reduced by having the mother and infant taking prophylaxis antiretroviral drugs.
Other routes:
HIV can also be transmitted by saliva, tears and urine of HIV positive individuals but this is very unlikely thus posing little risk.
Facts about HIV Transmission
HIV cannot survive for too long outside of the body. The virus cannot be transmitted through using the same toilet seat, sharing cutlery or drinking glasses, shaking hands, hugging, kissing or insect bites. Even if an infected person is regularly taking antiretroviral medication they