Basic points:
- It is more likely to take HIV via non -protected sex, especially through receptive anal sex
- While possible, vaginal sex is unlikely to transmit the virus, especially if you use protection
- You can’t take HIV virus hugging, kissing or biting an infected person
HIV can be one of the most difficult sexually transmitted infections one can get. While developments in treatment over the years have ensured that people who have been infected with HIV can live a long time, often requires constant treatment and vigilance.
So if you can avoid taking it, you should.
Continue reading to find out more about how HIV transmits so you can better protect your health.
Find out your condition from HIV from home with one of the Better2 Know’s Test Home Kits.
What is HIV?
HIV virus or human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that aims at the immune system – especially CD4 cells that help your body fight infections.
If left untreated, HIV gradually weakens the immune system, making it more difficult to avoid daily diseases and infections. Over time, this can lead to AIDS (immunosuppression syndrome), which is the stage where the immune system is seriously at stake.
But here’s the good news: with timely detection and proper treatment, people living with HIV can lead a long, healthy life with normal life expectancy.
How is HIV broadcast?
You can get HIV in some ways – and not just through sex. Below you will find a variety of actions and how likely you are to take HIV from them. All statistics presented here are gathered and approved by the US Disease Control Centers.
Sexual acts
The overwhelming majority of HIV infections are derived from the non -protected sex. But some sexual acts are more dangerous than others.
(NOTE: The following descriptions describe sexual acts where the risk is not mitigated by things such as condoms, male circumcision, antiretroviral therapy and prior pre -exposure, which will reduce the chance of transmission.)
Vaginal
Unprotected vaginal sex is very unlikely to transmit HIV.
For every 10,000 reports, receptive vaginal sex (ie a woman having sex with an infected man) will only result around Eight infections.
Incoming vaginal sex (that is, a man who has sexual intercourse with an infected woman) is even less likely, only with only with 4 of every 10,000 reports is likely to lead to infection.
While the vaginal sex remains an unlikely transmission route, it can be more likely if the uninfected partner already has an existing STI like Chlamydia or Gonorrhea.
Anal sex
The anal sex creates the most important risk of passing HIV due to the biological structure of the anus and rectum.
The lining of the rectum is thin and fragile, making it prone to tears during intercourse. These tears provide instant access to pathogens such as HIV to enter the bloodstream, especially if the infected person has HIV and does not receive treatment.
The risk is different depending on the act of sexual intercourse and which is infected.
In receptive anal contact, 138 of every 10,000 reports are likely to lead to infection. In inserted anal contact, the probability falls to 11 of every 10,000.
Oral sex
Although technically possible, the chance of transmitting HIV through oral sex is so low that most healthcare professionals consider it a negligible risk.
For the transmission to happen, something very unusual would have to happen. For example, an infected person who ejaculated in one’s mouth with mouth ulcers, bleeding gums or the presence of another Sti can slightly increase the chances.
Sharing of Sexual Toys
HIV does not survive much outside the human body, which means that the virus becomes inactive quite quickly when exposed to the air or surfaces.
However, if the game is used in rapid succession between partners, especially without cleaning or changing condoms, The virus can be sufficiently viable to endanger.
Using non -porous games (such as those produced by silicone or stainless steel), cleaning them thoroughly between uses and using a fresh condom for each person are all effective ways to reduce the risk.
While technically possible, the transmission of HIV through the exchange of sex games has not been sufficiently studied and more research is needed on this subject.
Non -sexual acts
While most HIV infections result from gender, there are many documented cases where people have taken HIV through other paths. Here are some of them.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Most children taking HIV will take it during pregnancy, childbirth or lactation. This is known as “perinatal transmission”.
The risk will vary depending on various factors – especially if the mother receives effective treatment. Without any treatment, the risk of transmission during pregnancy is anywhere between 15% to 45%. However, with effective treatment, the probability may fall Less than 1%.
Breastfeeding may have unique challenges. If a mother receives antiretroviral therapy and maintains an undetectable viral load, the risk of transmission is also Less than 1%. In some cases, healthcare professionals can recommend the diet of types or donor milk to eliminate the risk entirely.
Blood transfusion
Taking blood transfusions infected with HIV is one of the higher risk ways to acquire the virus. If blood is not formulated and contains active HIV, the probability of transmission is estimated to be over 90%– Essentially, almost guaranteed. This is due to the fact that the virus is directly introduced into the bloodstream in large quantities, bypassing ordinary obstacles such as the skin or mucous membranes.
However, in countries such as the United Kingdom, this scenario is extremely rare thanks to strict projection protocols. All blood donations are tested for HIV (as well as other infections such as Hepatitis b and Hepatitis C) Using very sensitive methods such as nucleic acid tests and antibodies. These security measures have transmitted HIV through blood transfusion virtually non -existent to modern healthcare regulations.
Needles
The probability of HIV transmission from contaminated needle is estimated to be around 0.3% per report. This means that for every 1,000 people experiencing a needle injury that includes positive HIV blood, about three can be infected. While this may sound low, still considered a significant riskEspecially in healthcare arrangements, where such reports are more likely to occur.
While the exact rates may vary according to the frame, studies estimate the risk per transmission of HIV from the exchange of injection equipment 0.63% per report. This is more than twice the risk of a needle injury to healthcare arrangements. The risk increases if the person with HIV has a high viral load or if the equipment is repeatedly shared.
Bite
There were only a handful of documented cases where HIV was transmitted through bite, and even then, included several extreme circumstances – they hurt wounds, broken skin and blood presence.
In order to transfer the HIV in this way, there must be an immediate path to the bloodstream, usually through significant tissue damage. Thus, if there is no serious trauma, the risk is incredibly low.
Spitting
Spitting, on the other hand, does not create any danger. HIV is not transmitted through saliva and if the skin is intact, there is no way for the virus to enter the body. This means that daily contact does not have a real risk when it comes to HIV.
Kissing
There have been some documented cases where the deep, open kiss transmitted by HIV, but this only happened when both partners had bleeding gums or open wounds in their mouths.
You can’t get HIV from the closed mouth kiss.
What are the risk factors that increase the likelihood of transmission?
Some risk factors may increase your chance of receiving HIV.
Use of alcohol and drugs
Eating alcohol or drugs will not only give you HIV. However, these substances will reduce your suspensions and judgment and tend to encourage behaviors that will make you more likely to contribute to infection, including:
- Participates in unknown sex
- Sharing needles for drug use
- Having sex with many partners
High viral load
Your viral load refers to how much HIV you have in your blood. Someone with a higher viral load will be more likely to transmit the virus. Antiretroviral therapy will reduce your viral load.
With effective treatment, your viral load may be reduced to undetectable levels, which means that it will be extremely unlikely to transfer the infection to an uninhabitable person.
Having other STDs
If you have another Sti, you may be more likely to take or pass on to the HIV virus. Such STDs include:
Final thoughts
HIV is not a death penalty. With the right treatment, you can live a long and healthy life. But first, you need to know if you have it.
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Do not leave your sexual health to luck.
