The Ways HIV & AIDS is Contracted

According to the International AIDS charity AVERT, an estimated 33 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS around the world. Every year another 2.7 million people become infected with the virus. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, can be transmitted through a variety of different ways. Remaining educated about these ways, and taking the steps needed to avoid them, is one of the best ways to help lower these statistics.

Sexual Contact

• The most common way in which HIV/AIDS is contracted is through sexual contact. The HIV virus thrives in the sexual fluids of both men (semen) and women (vaginal fluids). These infected fluids can be transmitted through oral, anal and vaginal sex. This makes AIDS highly contagious in female to male, male to male, and even female to female sexual relationships. To prevent infection, you should always use protection such as a condom during sexual relations, unless you know for certain that your partner is not infected with virus. Birth control methods such as the birth control pill or spermicide do not protect against the virus.

Intravenous

• Intravenous contraction is another common way in which the HIV/AIDS virus is transmitted. This method is most commonly found among drug addicts who share needles. When a substance is injected into the body, residual blood remains on the needle. As the second person reuses the needle, the blood from the first user gets introduced into the second user's bloodstream. If this blood is infected, the HIV virus can quickly take hold and start multiplying in the second user's system.

Transfusion

• Though not as common now that most countries screen donors before performing the procedure, blood transfusions can also transmit the HIV/AIDS virus. However, in some developing countries, individuals infected with HIV/AIDS may not be screened before being allowed to donate blood. This blood can then be introduced into someone in need of a transfusion, causing the person to become infected with the virus.

Mother-Baby

• HIV/AIDS-positive mothers need to be especially careful when it comes to preventing their child from contracting the virus. Transmission from mother to baby most often occurs when the child is exposed to infected blood and fluids during birth. To prevent this, most HIV-positive mothers give birth through cesarean section. Mothers may also pass the virus onto their children through breast milk.

Mucous Membrane

• Transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus through mucous membranes contact is most commonly seen in the health field with medical staff. If infected blood comes into contact with an open wound of a non-infected individual, the wound may provide enough of an opening for the virus to find its way into the blood tream. Medical providers, and anyone else working around blood or other fluids that may contain the virus, should be especially vigilant to protect themselves from possible exposure through this manner.