home Analyzes HIV is not transmitted through blood. Taking medications. Through objects and blood contaminated with blood

HIV is not transmitted through blood. Taking medications. Through objects and blood contaminated with blood

It is not for nothing that the human immunodeficiency virus has such a name, because it is a purely human pathology that is not dangerous for other mammals. There are, however, a couple of variations of this virus, which, according to special studies, affect African monkeys (HIV-2) and possibly chimpanzees (HIV-1), but they have nothing to do with humans, being transmitted only within the species. For the human race, the danger is precisely HIV infection, which opens the way into the body for many dangerous viruses and bacteria. Therefore, you should not treat it carelessly. But you can protect yourself from this terrible disease only by knowing how HIV infection is transmitted from person to person.

A little about HIV itself

Humanity learned about the immunodeficiency virus at the end of the twentieth century (1983), when at the same time this virus was discovered in two scientific laboratories. One of them was located in France (Louis Pasteur Institute), the other in the USA (National Cancer Institute). A year earlier, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which, as it turned out later, was the final phase of HIV infection, received its current name.

When a new unknown retrovirus was isolated and given the name HTLV-III, it was also suggested that this virus could be the cause of such a terrible disease as AIDS. Further research confirmed this hypothesis, and humanity learned about a new danger that can kill without weapons.

HIV is one of the types of viral pathologies characterized by a sluggish course. Incubation period lasting from 3 weeks to 3 months, and latent stage, the duration of which can be 11-12, and sometimes more, years, occur without any obvious symptoms. However, during this period, the immune system is almost completely destroyed.

Disorder in the immune system and its inability to protect the body from foreign invasion makes it possible for even infections that are actually unable to be active in a healthy body to penetrate into its depths and actively multiply. For example, the causative agents of Pneumocystis pneumonia can manifest themselves only against the background of a significantly weakened immune system, which is extremely rare (mainly due to HIV). The same can be said about the oncological pathology called Kaposi's sarcoma, the development of which requires an almost complete absence of immunity.

The human immunodeficiency virus itself is considered unstable. It cannot exist outside the host’s body (in this case, an infected person is considered both the carrier and the source of infection), however, in each specific case, the virus is slightly modified, which allows it to survive and excludes the possibility of inventing an effective antiviral vaccine.

Where are viral elements concentrated in the body? Well, of course, first of all it is blood, which is why the probability of infection through this important physiological fluid is so high (more than 90%). In 1 ml of blood, up to 10 doses of a viral component that can cause infection can be detected. A similar concentration of viral particles can also be found in seminal fluid(sperm) in men. Breast milk and vaginal discharge among women.

The virus is capable of nesting in any physiological fluids, including saliva and cerebrospinal fluid, but its concentration there is negligible, as is the risk of infection with their participation.

Having isolated the virus and studied it, scientists came to the conclusion that it is possible to destroy viral cells by exposing them to high temperatures and certain chemicals. If the reservoir with the virus is heated above 57 degrees, the virus will die within half an hour. When boiling the liquid in which the virus cells are placed, it will take no more than 1 minute to completely destroy them. Chemical substances, such as alcohol, ether and acetone, are also enemies of HIV, which makes possible use these substances and high temperatures for disinfection.

Alas, none of these methods of combating HIV infection are applicable to humans. It is impossible to boil blood to kill all the viruses in it without changing the very structure of the liquid. And a person cannot drink the amount of alcohol that would cope with the infection without consequences. All that people can do so far is to protect themselves from infection entering the body or to somewhat slow down the development of the virus until it reaches the AIDS stage.

But in order to protect yourself effectively, you need to know how HIV infection is transmitted. After all, whoever is forewarned is, as they say, forearmed.

How is HIV infection transmitted?

The human immunodeficiency virus is a terrible and insidious disease, for which there is currently no effective treatment. But there are a lot of different rumors around HIV. Some say that the virus itself is not so scary if you can live with it quietly for more than 10 years. Real danger, in their opinion, represents only last stage diseases - AIDS, when the body develops various pathologies, most of them having a complicated course.

Others are terrified of contracting HIV infection, believing that any contact with an infected person carries great danger. This leads to neurotic disorders and depression, because an infected person himself may not even suspect that he is a carrier, not to mention other people who do not notice any changes in the virus carrier. The presence of the virus in the body can only be determined diagnostically by conducting a special blood test for antibodies to HIV.

In principle, there is some truth in both opinions. But both a careless attitude towards the problem of HIV and excessive concern for one’s health to the detriment of human relationships and mental health are extremes that will benefit neither one nor the other.

HIV has 3 main routes of transmission, which are worth paying close attention to, because it is in these cases that the risk of infection is especially high:

During sexual intercourse (sexual or contact transmission route),
When manipulating blood (parenteral route),
During pregnancy, labor and breastfeeding (vertical transmission of infection).

In other cases, the possibility of getting HIV is so small that even doctors do not consider these routes as dangerous.

Having learned how HIV infection is transmitted, you can take all measures to block any routes for infection to enter the body. One should not think that only those people who, due to their professional duties, are forced to come into contact with infected people or who are related to virus carriers in some way are at risk. You can become infected with the human immunodeficiency virus even if you have a virus-negative partner.

On the other hand, some couples, in which one of the partners is a virus carrier, live quite happily because they are careful in sexual contacts. Thus, consideration for others and caution are important conditions that help stop the spread of this terrible disease.

How is HIV infection transmitted from a man?

So, the greatest chance of introducing HIV infection into your body is observed during sexual intercourse. This applies to both heterosexual and homosexual couples. A man always acts as the introducing party in sex. And often it is men who are the “customers” of love affairs. Therefore, the risk of infection from a man is higher than from a woman.

This is also facilitated by the fact that the content of virus cells in sperm is almost 3 times higher than in the vaginal secretions of women. Even a minimal amount of sperm on the penis can introduce an infection into the female body, but removing it from there is very difficult due to the structural features of the female genital organs, which are located deep inside. Conventional douching after sexual intercourse does not guarantee the removal of the virus from the body.

Please note that sex with an HIV-positive partner does not necessarily result in infection. In order for the virus to become active, it must enter the bloodstream. It can enter the bloodstream only through damage to the skin and mucous membranes. Usually, during sexual intercourse, microcracks form on the vaginal mucosa, which do not pose a danger to the woman until some infection, for example, the human immunodeficiency virus, gets into her bowels. If there are no microdamages, and the woman has thoroughly cleaned the vagina after intercourse, infection may not occur.

The danger for women is posed by infectious and inflammatory processes in the vagina, which make the mucous membrane more vulnerable and permeable to all kinds of bacteria and viruses. The likelihood of violating the integrity of the mucous membrane during sexual intercourse is high with inflammation of the internal genital organs and venereal diseases. In the latter case, partners can simply exchange “sores,” which will only worsen the situation for both.

But so far we have been talking about classic sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. However, in our time, a certain perverted form of it is very actively practiced - anal sex, when the penis is inserted not into the vagina, but into the rectum through the anus. Some people consider this method as an opportunity to protect against unwanted pregnancy without the use of contraceptives.

It must be said that such intercourse is not only unnatural, but also poses a great danger in terms of the spread of HIV infection. And all because the delicate tissue of the rectum and anus is susceptible to damage even more than inner shell vagina, which is protected by the mucous secretion it produces, which softens friction.

The rectum in nature is intended for other purposes. It does not belong to the reproductive organs and does not produce a special lubricant that protects the walls from friction and damage. Therefore, during anal sex, there is a high probability of damage to the tissues of the anus and intestines due to strong friction, especially if intercourse is performed in a rough manner.

At the same time, the man, again, suffers less, because if there is no damage to the penis, then he is unlikely to be able to become infected from an HIV-positive partner. Moreover, penile hygiene is much easier than cleansing the internal reproductive organs in a woman. But if a woman had anal sex with an HIV-positive man, then her probability of infection is almost 100%.

Knowing how HIV infection is transmitted is also very important for homosexual couples, and we have many of them, because persecution of people with non-traditional orientation has long been a thing of the past. For homosexual couples, the main source of sexual satisfaction is anal sex, in which the risk of infection is incredibly high.

Oral sex with an HIV-positive man (the penis is inserted into the mouth of a partner or homosexual partner) can also pose some danger to partners. The fact is that in the oral cavity there can also be various microdamages caused by rough or spicy food, inflammatory process in tissues, etc. If infected sperm gets on the wounds, it risks transmitting the virus into the bloodstream, from where it can no longer be removed.

And even if there were no wounds on the mucous membranes of the mouth, they may end up in the esophagus and stomach. In such cases, the danger lies in swallowing sperm, which many women do not disdain after reading information about useful composition seminal fluid and its effect on youth and beauty.

As you can see, sexual transmission of HIV is quite common. It is not without reason that almost 70% of infections are attributed to this factor. Another interesting fact is that despite the fact that a woman is at greater risk during sexual intercourse, the prevalence of the virus among men and women is approximately the same. And the reason for this is promiscuity with a large number of partners, an increase in the number of homosexual couples, and the practice of group sex.

There is something to think about. But preventing HIV from entering the body during sexual intercourse is not so difficult if you use high-quality condoms every time, if you know that your partner is a carrier of the virus. And even if there is no information about the health status of your sex partner, you should not exclude the possibility of carrying the virus. But you should protect yourself from possible infection by insisting on protected sex using a condom.

To practice unprotected sex You can only have a permanent partner in whom you are 100% confident. But here, too, there is no need to discount the possibility of infecting a partner in other ways (for example, through blood during surgical intervention if surgical instruments have not been sufficiently disinfected, or after visiting a dentist). It would be a good idea to take an HIV test after each such intervention, but practice shows that this recommendation is implemented very, very rarely.

How is HIV infection transmitted from a woman?

Although the likelihood of contracting HIV from a representative of the fairer sex is less, it should not be ruled out either. After all, inflammatory pathologies of the genital organs, weakening their tissues, occur not only in women, but also in men. Therefore, after sex with an HIV-positive partner, a man with inflammation or mechanical trauma to the penis, leading to damage to its tissues, can also discover HIV in himself over time.

Therefore, we can say with confidence that sex with a condom protects not only the woman, but also the man from infection. And if we also take into account that men are polygamous by nature, i.e. cannot remain faithful to one partner for a long time, then by having sex without a condom, they endanger not only themselves, but also their regular partner. After all, for the woman they love, they themselves become the source of infection, even if for the time being without suspecting it.

This carelessness is especially dangerous for young couples who are still planning to have children. After all, an unsuspecting woman (don’t forget that the disease can manifest itself even after 10 or more years), seeking advice about pregnancy, may be horrified to learn that she is a carrier of the virus. Therefore, couples planning to replenish their family must be aware of how HIV infection is transmitted from man to woman and from woman to child.

You should always remember that either the same man or a woman can become infected from a man, but from a woman the virus can also be transmitted to her child, who is in the womb for a certain time. The virus can enter the fetal bloodstream during pregnancy (through the placental barrier) or during the baby’s passage through the birth canal, because infants have such soft skin that any impact can cause microdamage on it, invisible to the eye, but sufficient for the penetration of virus cells, which are also microscopic in size. And if we take into account that the immune system of a newborn is still in the formative stage, then some babies die in the very first days and months after birth.

Even if the baby is born healthy, there is still a risk of HIV transmission from the mother through breast milk. For this reason, women who carry the virus have to give up breastfeeding their baby, which, of course, does not have the best effect on his natural immunity, but at the same time protects the newborn from an unwanted “gift” from a loving mother in the form of a terrible retrovirus.

Yes, let’s not hide it, previously the percentage of HIV-infected children born from mothers with the human immunodeficiency virus in their blood was much higher (about 40%). Today, doctors have learned to use chemical antiviral drugs (usually prescribed starting from the 28th week of pregnancy) to reduce the activity of HIV in the mother’s body and have reduced the intrauterine incidence to 1-2%.

This is facilitated by the practice of cesarean section in HIV-infected mothers, which prevents infection of the baby during childbirth, as well as the administration of antiviral drugs to newborns for several months after birth. After all, the sooner an infection is detected in the baby’s body, the easier it will be to fight it and the greater the chance that the child will live a long, happy life. If preventive measures are not taken, the child can be predicted to live for a maximum of 15 years.

Preparing for the arrival of a new little family member is always a very exciting moment for a woman, but it is a pleasant excitement. For an HIV-infected pregnant woman, the joy of motherhood is overshadowed by concern about the fate of her baby, who may acquire terrible disease. And this anxiety will not leave the woman for the entire 9 months, even if she diligently follows all the doctor’s instructions and undergoes routine examinations.

An even greater responsibility lies with women who knew about their illness even before conceiving the baby. They should think and weigh everything several times before deciding to give life to a child. After all, along with life, they can reward the baby and dangerous disease, predicting him (albeit not always) a sad fate. The expectant mother must discuss all the risks associated with HIV infection with her doctor and, if the decision is positive, strictly adhere to all medical recommendations.

It is worth thinking in advance about who will help the infected mother care for and raise the child. Still, constant contact with a child who does not yet know how to protect himself from danger poses, albeit a small, risk of infecting the baby. And the life of an HIV-positive mother may not be as long as she would like. Even before the birth of the child, everything must be done so that later he will not be left alone in this life.

As for men, representatives of the oldest profession also pose a great danger to them. You need to understand that a woman of easy virtue can have quite a lot of clients, no one requires certificates of health, which means that among the sexual partners of the prostitute there may well be HIV-infected men. A prostitute can give such a gift in the form of HIV infection to any subsequent client with whom she will have vaginal or anal sex.

Men should not take risks by having sexual contact with a woman during menstruation. Firstly, this is not an urgent need, secondly, it is unhygienic and, thirdly, it is quite dangerous in terms of blood contact with the penis if there is a possibility that the woman is a carrier of HIV infection. Still, the blood is saturated with virus cells much more than vaginal secretions, which means that the likelihood of infection increases markedly. Is the game worth the candle?

How is HIV infection transmitted through kissing?

This question is of particular interest to young couples, who today practice not only light superficial kisses, but also deep sensual ones. And we have already written that some of the virus cells are found in many human physiological fluids, including saliva contained in the oral cavity. It is this moment that worries lovers, because a kiss is the most sincere expression of love for a person.

Lovers should not be especially worried, even if one of the partners turns out to be HIV-positive. Such a manifestation of love as a kiss is quite acceptable in this situation. Saliva contains such a tiny number of viral cells that the answer to the incorrect question of how HIV infection is transmitted through saliva is “virtually not at all.”

Theoretically, the possibility of infection in this way remains due to the very minuscule amount of HIV cells in saliva, but in life there have never been confirmed cases of infection through saliva. You need to understand that this is not just a way to reassure lovers, but statistical information. There are special centers that study the virus and how it spreads. Medical scientists are concerned about the growing number of patients with HIV, so for each specific case, full information where and how the infection occurred. All this is necessary in order to develop effective preventive measures that will help stop the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus across our home planet.

During such studies in the United States, a case of HIV transmission during a kiss was recorded. But the carrier of the infection, as it turned out, was not saliva, but blood that appeared at the site of the bite (apparently it was made in a fit of passion).

A simple loving kiss without damaging the tissues of the oral cavity cannot harm a healthy person, so lovers can safely practice such kisses. It’s another matter if bleeding wounds are found in the mouths of both partners, which is observed with periodontitis, stomatitis, tonsillitis and some other pathologies of the oral cavity. Any open wound in an HIV-infected person is a source of infection, while the same damage in healthy person carry a risk of infection.

Parenteral route of transmission of HIV infection

If the vertical route of transmission of the virus is typical only for women who decide to give birth to a child, then both women and men can be equally infected through contact and parenteral routes. We have already considered all the nuances of the contact route of infection. It's time to pay attention to HIV transmission through blood.

There are 2 risk factors here, mainly associated with medical instruments. Firstly, these are surgical supplies, which must be strictly sterile. Insufficient disinfection of an instrument that was previously used in manipulations with an HIV-infected patient is a risk factor for infecting another patient.

Moreover, this applies not only to surgery, but also dental offices, beauty salons that practice manicures and pedicures, where clients are not asked at all for a certificate confirming the absence of HIV in the body. In the event of an accidental cut, particles of the blood of an infected person remain on a scalpel or other device used in surgery, dentistry, or cosmetology. At insufficient processing instrument (washed with water and enough, but you need to treat it with alcohol or boil for at least 1-2 minutes), the virus cells remaining on it can easily enter the body of a healthy person through various lesions on the skin.

Although the probability of infection in this case is small, it also cannot be discounted. To protect yourself from parenteral infection during medical or cosmetic procedures, you must insist on using disposable instruments that are removed from the package in front of the patient. Fortunately, now disposable tools are not a problem. At least in private medical centers who value their reputation and income.

Another unlikely way to infect a patient with the human immunodeficiency virus is to give him the blood of an HIV-infected person. This can only happen in an emergency situation, when there are no blood supplies, and seconds count. In this case, blood can be taken from an untested person only on the basis of group and Rh factor compatibility, while the donor himself may not be aware of his illness, which is usually in no hurry to manifest itself. Blood at donor points must be tested for HIV, so the likelihood of infection from tested donor blood is practically zero.

When manipulating HIV-infected patients, some medical staff also run the risk of infection. This risk is small and is mainly caused by the carelessness of a doctor or nurse who, during surgery or other actions with the patient’s blood, accidentally damages the tissue on the arm in the place where it comes into contact with the blood of an HIV-positive patient. Infection may not occur, but the danger still exists, and we must not forget about it.

There is another answer to the question of how HIV infection is transmitted parenterally. A risk factor for blood infection with the human immunodeficiency virus is the use of injection equipment by a group of people. In practice, this phenomenon is often common among drug addicts who are trying to save money on syringes.

In this case, not only syringe needles, which are in direct contact with human tissues and blood, are considered potentially dangerous in this case, but also the syringes themselves, as well as the containers from which the liquid drug is taken. These tools are not processed in any way among drug addicts, which means that particles of the blood of the previous user, who may have an HIV-positive status, remain on them. Drugs are introduced into the body intravenously, and the virus is delivered directly into the bloodstream, where it begins its destructive effect.

Drug addiction is a disease, and recovery from pathological addiction is not so easy. But everything can be done to prevent HIV infection from joining the destructive effects of drugs.

Prevention in this case is the use of individual (preferably disposable) syringes and ampoules, as well as the avoidance of promiscuity, which is often practiced among drug addicts against the background of the narcotic ecstasy they receive, clouding the mind and logical thinking. But even in such a state, a person is able to realize the danger of his actions, unless, of course, drugs have completely destroyed his ability to think. In this case, kissing should be stopped for a while, and resumed only after the damage to the mucous membranes of the mouth, gums and lips has completely healed.

The likelihood of contracting HIV through a kiss is negligible, but you should not completely ignore the fact of this possibility. If a kiss is a manifestation true love, then the partners will take all precautions so as not to harm each other. Indeed, in this case, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus is a tragedy for both.

But it’s clearly not worth kissing passionately with untested partners. And it's not even about the depth of the kiss. It’s worth thinking about whether a stranger will care about your safety in a fit of passion, or are you at risk of being bitten or unprotected sex, which may well follow kissing? Are you completely sure that your casual partner is HIV negative?

Only with a trusted partner can you feel safe while observing preventive measures, such as using a condom and being careful when kissing. There is no need to rush to reject your loved one if he is diagnosed with HIV, because the human immunodeficiency virus is not an acute respiratory viral infection or a fungus, it is not transmitted by airborne droplets, through hands, dishes, bathroom, toilet. So if you are careful, the likelihood of getting infected is not that great, as many prove happy couples, one of the partners in which is a virus carrier.

How is HIV infection transmitted at home?

If the topic of kisses was of interest mainly to couples in love and loving parents, who also happily give kisses to their children, then the issue of the risk of contracting HIV infection in everyday life is already of concern to many readers of different ages. After all, if it turns out that HIV can be contracted through non-sexual contact, surgery or during a blood transfusion, and through everyday life, danger can threaten almost all people.

Let us not deceive the reader by claiming that contracting HIV infection at home is impossible, just to prevent panic. Let's face it, the danger of infection exists and is real. However, this is not a reason to panic in advance. In order for infection to occur, certain conditions are required that can be successfully prevented; it is only important to know how HIV infection is transmitted in everyday life and to avoid such situations.

Most often, men become infected in domestic conditions, which once again equalizes their chances of receiving an unwanted “gift” with women. The cause of infection in the vast majority of cases is ordinary shaving, which is considered a common procedure among men.

You can shave twice a day or once a week, but this will not change the likelihood of contracting HIV. Even the type of shaving device in this case does not play a significant role, since if you shave carelessly, you can get hurt with a safety or electric razor. Another important thing is whose machine or razor do you shave with?

Razor, like Toothbrush, must be individual. By giving a razor to others or using someone else’s, you can only bring yourself into trouble in the form of blood poisoning with HIV infection. And here it doesn’t matter how many times you had to use it. If you cut yourself with a razor that contains the blood of an HIV-infected person (a friend or relative, and we know that he himself may not have known about the disease), there is every chance of releasing the virus into his blood. And these chances are quite high.

When asked whether there have been any documented cases of HIV infection while shaving, the answer is yes. True, information about the route of infection in all episodes was obtained from the patient himself and was based on his assumptions. Perhaps there were other contacts that could have caused infection, or maybe the culprit of the disaster really was a publicly available razor. Be that as it may, we should not exclude the completely logical possibility of HIV infection at home. But this possibility can be prevented if you use an individual shaving device, protecting it from the encroachments of friends and family members (among which, by the way, there may be women who are not free from excess hair).

Above we mentioned a toothbrush. And for good reason, because if an HIV-positive person has problems with teeth, gums or oral mucosa, particles of infected blood may likely be hidden on the brush after brushing, which will become a source of infection for another user of the brush.

True, in order for infection to occur through a razor or toothbrush, the blood must be fresh enough, because the human immunodeficiency virus is a very unstable substance that cannot exist outside the host’s body, so it quickly dies in the open air.

Theoretically, the human immunodeficiency virus can be transmitted by shaking hands. This would be a virtually incredible situation, since infection is possible only if there are fresh injuries on the hands (or rather even the palms) of both partners extended for a handshake. Plus, the blood of an HIV-infected person must get into the wound of a healthy person. Yes, the situation is more than rare, because who would extend a bloody hand during a greeting, but it is still worth knowing about this possibility.

There is even less chance of contracting AIDS in the swimming pool, where people are allowed in only after providing a certificate confirming the absence of various types of infections in the visitor’s body. True, an HIV test is not taken in all cases. But this has little effect on the likelihood of infection. To become infected in a pool, you must either step on an open wound in the blood of an infected person, or end up with the same wound in water noticeably flavored with someone else’s blood, or provoke a bloody fight. What do you think is the likelihood of such an event happening?

Public baths and saunas practically eliminate the possibility of contracting HIV infection, although no one requires a certificate there. But, firstly, the virus cannot live on its own without a host, and secondly, it is afraid of exposure to high temperatures.

Concerning massage rooms, then the likelihood of contracting HIV is much higher during a manicure or pedicure, which can be done in beauty salons or at home by both women and men. And poorly disinfected devices will be to blame. Trust your nails only to trusted and careful cosmetologists, and you will not have problems with HIV.

During massage, infection can again occur only during mixing of blood, i.e. It is necessary that both the massage therapist’s hands and the client’s skin, which the massage therapist touches, be damaged. It is clear that such a situation can be considered rather an exception to the rule.

It's time to talk about more mundane things, like the toilet. Can you become infected with the human immunodeficiency virus by using the toilet?

Neither urine nor feces are considered a serious source of HIV infection that can trigger the disease. In a public toilet, you are more likely to catch other infections, including those that are sexually transmitted, than the immunodeficiency virus, which is transmitted primarily through blood or semen.

Yes, such secretions may accidentally end up on the rim of the toilet, but in order for them to cause infection, the buttocks of the person who sits on them must have damage, through which the virus would penetrate into the blood. This situation is simply ridiculous, because no smart person would sit on the toilet in public place(and even with such obvious traces of someone else’s presence), without first laying down at least toilet paper, or better yet, a disposable seat specifically designed for this purpose.

If we are not talking about a toilet, but about a bowl or hole for drainage, which can often be found in public restrooms, then they do not pose any risk of infection at all, since they exclude contact of bodily fluids.

The fact that HIV is not transmitted in a public toilet does not mean that you do not need to follow the rules of personal hygiene. Clean hands and caution will help avoid infecting others, no less dangerous infections, which are quite sufficient in public places with the abbreviation MF.

As for cutlery and dishes, there is no need to worry too much, even when visiting canteens and cafes. HIV is definitely not transmitted through dishes, unlike many intestinal infections.

Based on the above and information about how HIV infection is transmitted, we can conclude that it is virtually impossible to acquire the human immunodeficiency virus through everyday use. You have to be an extremely sloppy, unscrupulous or clumsy person to be included in the list of exceptions, which can only be called a curious accident. But caution and understanding will serve many people well, including those who have found happiness in an HIV-positive partner.

The human immunodeficiency virus is known in every country. The wide prevalence of this disease is due to the characteristics of its transmission. According to statistics, HIV infection is most often transmitted through sexual intercourse. One of the partners may not realize that he is a carrier of the virus. This is why doctors advise regularly getting tested for HIV and AIDS. Not sexually transmitted this pathology only if you use a condom. You should also be careful when choosing a sexual partner. If you have any doubts about the health of the person with whom you had sexual intercourse, you should immediately consult a doctor. The vaccine, given within 72 hours of sex with an infected person, significantly reduces the risk of infection.

Features of HIV transmission during sexual contact

Each route of infection has its own characteristics. WITH medical point In our opinion, HIV transmission through sex is the most dangerous option of all. The fact is that it is precisely because of casual sexual relationships that more and more young people are becoming infected with this virus. Sexual infection HIV is observed in 70% of all cases. Viral cells invade healthy tissue mucous membrane, after which they penetrate into the blood and begin to actively multiply after 7 hours. It is extremely difficult to stop the progression of the disease after this period of time.

Transmission mechanism pathogenic microflora from patient to healthy body simple enough to understand. HIV infection through sexual contact occurs in several stages. If we are talking about vaginal sex, then the virus enters the partner’s organs through secretions: sperm or vaginal secretions. As is known, it is these physiological fluids that contain greatest number pathogenic cells. However, even if an infected man does not ejaculate inside the vagina of a healthy woman, the risk of infection is still high. Even in the lubricant that is released from the penis, there are many virus cells present. That is why the most likely method of infection is sexual intercourse. At the same time, HIV begins to actively multiply in the body of a healthy person and gradually takes over the immune system, suppressing it.

HIV cannot be transmitted through sexual contact unless a condom is used. Latex is a reliable means of protection against virus penetration. However, it should be borne in mind that the slightest damage and microcracks on the condom reduce the effectiveness of protection and increase the risk of infection. Doctors advise trusting only proven brands of these products. You need to give preference to a quality manufacturer. Such a product usually costs an order of magnitude more, but is more reliable. HIV cannot be transmitted after contact using an intact condom. This method of contraception and protection has helped save many lives. You shouldn't risk your health for a few minutes of pleasure.

The situation is more complicated with the transmission of HIV through anal or oral sexual contact. People have many misconceptions about unconventional sex. You can often hear questions about whether you can get AIDS or HIV through anal sex. The answer will, of course, be in the affirmative. The fact is that in the rectum there are many receptors through which physiological fluids are almost instantly absorbed into the blood. As soon as penile secretions with viral cells get there, they immediately enter the blood through receptors and microtraumas. If a man is healthy, and his partner is infected, then he can become infected during anal sex. The likelihood of contracting HIV sexually through the rectum is high, since this organ contains a large number of virus if the body is infected. In addition, this type of sexual intercourse is always accompanied by the presence of cracks and microtraumas of the mucous membrane. That is why even during anal sex you need to use a condom.

Some questions arise about HIV infection after oral sex. Both men and women can become infected this way. It does not matter which of them took an active position and which was passive. Many patients come to see a doctor with the question of whether HIV is transmitted through sex if there was only oral sex. There is a risk of infection in any case. Viral cells are also present in the oral cavity. If a person asks a doctor whether it is possible to contract AIDS through oral sex, the doctor’s answer is always positive. Prolonged contact of the mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals often becomes the cause of infection, contrary to the popular belief that the risk of contracting HIV and AIDS with oral sex small.

Why is sexual transmission of HIV the most common?

The degree of awareness and awareness of society largely affects the health of modern and future generations. Children should know whether AIDS and HIV infection are sexually transmitted. The problem with modern youth is that they do not want to delve into this kind of information, believing that it will not be useful to them. However, one day the risk of HIV transmission through sexual contact may affect everyone.

Sociologists have long been studying the causes of mass infection of immunodeficiency through sex. The first of them is the lack of information about this disease. Adolescents and young adults due to certain negative factors may not know whether it is possible to become infected with AIDS or HIV through sexual contact. They talk about this at school, parents talk about it, television, radio, and advertisements around the city inform. However, if a child was born in a dysfunctional family and does not receive proper education, then his level of awareness is low.

The second reason is the increase in crime. Every year, many girls and boys succumb to sexual violence. Naturally, an infected criminal does not think about the health of his victim, so condoms are out of the question. The percentage of HIV infections through forced sex today is extremely high. This is especially true for countries with low living standards.

Another reason is a careless attitude towards your health. A healthy person who has information about the ways of contracting the disease can simply ignore them. The reason for this is simple carelessness or laziness. Reluctance to spend money on condoms or simply the thought that the problem will not affect a specific person often becomes the reason for contracting AIDS.

Many guys ask the doctor what to do if they slept with an HIV-infected girl. First of all, the doctor sends you for blood tests, which will show whether the virus is in the body. Next, treatment is prescribed if immunodeficiency is still detected. Doctors are also often asked whether it is possible to sleep with an HIV-infected person. Having sex with such people is allowed only if a high-quality condom of a trusted brand is used. There should also be no wounds on the partners’ bodies, no biting, no scratching each other during sex.

How to reduce the number of cases of HIV infection through sexual contact?

To keep the current generation healthy and take care of the next, people must become more aware. Taking good care of your health can save the lives of many people. If every person takes responsibility for their health, the number of cases of infection through sex will decrease.

In addition, it is necessary to inform schoolchildren about whether it is possible to become infected with AIDS or HIV through sexual contact. The likelihood of infection should be discussed in various television programs and shows. It would be useful to organize special events where everyone could learn about whether it is possible to become infected with AIDS or HIV through sexual contact. Cases of possible life situations will become striking examples how to act in a given situation.

Every teenager and adult should know what is the likelihood of contracting HIV through sex. It is necessary to bring such information to the masses in order to maintain health. Only through joint efforts can this be overcome. dangerous disease like AIDS.

Questions about what HIV infection is, how it is transmitted and what measures to prevent the disease exist are asked at least once by almost all people on the planet. Medical staff are trying to inform people about the main reasons for the spread of this disease and its possible disastrous consequences.

Therefore, the routes of HIV transmission are known to everyone quite well, but at the same time, young people are increasingly turning to unjustified panic about their infection.

A little history of HIV

HIV is an acronym that stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

This virus slowly but progressively affects the human body, completely weakening the immune system, which leads to permanent infectious diseases and tumor formation. When the first serious symptoms of the virus appear, the AIDS stage (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) begins.

People first started talking about HIV and AIDS in the early eighties of the twentieth century. The first symptoms were recorded in Sweden, the USA, Tanzania and Haiti, and the first diagnosis, based on the detection of the HIV virus, was made in 1983 thanks to the French scientist Luc Montagnier. To this day, the information message has not changed since those times: the disease is spreading in geometric progression, no medicines have been found that completely overcome the disease, and the only way to avoid this disease is to monitor your life and behavior. There are many assumptions about where the legs actually “grow” from. Most experts in the field say the virus originated in West Africa. The nature, structure and routes of HIV infection are known, but a “miracle” cure has never been invented. According to official data, more than fifty million members of the infected population have been registered to date.

Through what routes is the disease not transmitted?

Before you figure out how you can get infected HIV infection and what are the first symptoms and manifestations of the disease, you should find out in what ways AIDS is not contracted. HIV is not transmitted in the following absolutely safe cases:

hugs, handshakes and other bodily touches;
using a public toilet and sharing hygiene items;
common recreation areas, such as a swimming pool, sauna, various bodies of water, etc.;
contact with animals and insect bites;
physical self-satisfaction (masturbation);
kisses;
clothing and household items;
places where manicure, hairdressing and dental services are provided;
donation and collection of blood for testing.

As absurd as some of the above positions may be, this is a list of the most frequently asked questions to virologists and specialists in the field about the transmissibility of the virus. To explain why HIV infection is not transmitted through these routes, it is worth understanding how exactly the disease affects the human body and what factors influence it.

The human immunodeficiency virus is not transmitted through airborne droplets like cold or flu viruses. To become infected, there must be contact between the blood or genital secretions of a healthy person and the blood and secretions of an infected person. Do not forget that HIV is a very weak virus that does not live long outside the human body. Animals are not carriers.

As for kisses and shared bodies of water, they, contrary to all the theoretical reasoning of young people, cannot in any way become a cause of HIV infection, because in order to take over the virus from the affected organism, a certain minimum concentration of the virus is necessary. If we are talking about blood, then just one drop will be enough for infection; speaking of saliva, it will take about four liters.

Possible routes of infection

If we put aside all the incredible causes and ways of infection, then there are not many real ones left, but they are all very dangerous and lead to an almost 100% negative outcome. Transmission and infection of the HIV virus occurs:

sexual intercourse without using a condom (the cause of 70-80% of registered infections);
use of an injection syringe or needle after an infection (5-10% of reported cases);
transfusion of contaminated blood (5-10%);
transmission of the virus from mother to child (5%);
infection from using unsterile instruments in tattoo parlors;
using personal items of an infected person with blood residue (razor, toothbrush, etc.).

Although HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, mother's milk and vaginal discharge, infection is not possible through contact with other secretions and possible biological materials produced by a person (sweat, saliva, urine, tears or feces).

The first symptoms of someone infected with HIV

As a rule, the first symptoms go unnoticed and resemble a slight malaise or the usual manifestations of a cold, so a person does not always pay attention to them, however, when there is still a reason for worry, this can be an excellent signal for further testing. Contact the centers medical care It is worth it if after unprotected sexual intercourse the following sensations and deviations were detected:

after one or two weeks the temperature increased to 37-38°C;
one or more lymph nodes have enlarged;
unpleasant sensation in the throat and pain when swallowing;
skin rash;
diarrhea.

These symptoms usually last no more than one week, then disappear on their own and do not occur in all infected people. The first ten to twelve years often pass completely unnoticed. Only in some cases, there is an increase in lymph nodes in the groin area, above the collarbone, on the back or front of the neck or under the armpits.

AIDS and its symptoms

The diagnosis of AIDS is made ten to twelve years after infection with the immunodeficiency virus. A person can be affected by several, at first glance, diseases that are safe for a healthy person. Most often this is:

thrush of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and genital organs;
elevated temperature;
increased sweating, especially at night;
sudden weight loss;
persistent diarrhea;
frequent influenza and respiratory infections;
herpes and shingles.

If there are reasons for concern, it is necessary to undergo special tests, but this should be done only 3-4 months after the expected day of infection.

HIV diagnosis and treatment

The first 120 days after HIV infection is called the “window” period. This is the time while antibodies are formed in the human body, the amount of which determines the diagnosis. After this period, you must go to any hospital and do an anonymous blood test for antibodies. If these same antibodies are detected, the analysis is regarded as positive, but they are in no hurry to make a 100% diagnosis. The patient is sent for re-examination to a more equipped clinic and, if confirmed by the second result, the patient receives HIV-infected status and a prescription necessary for treatment.

Treatment of the immunodeficiency virus does not involve completely getting rid of the disease, but only slowing down its process, thus supporting and prolonging the life of the patient. With the help of special medications, HIV activity is suppressed and the number of immune cells increases. Sometimes treatment can reduce the virus content in the blood to an undetectable level, but this does not eliminate it from the lymph nodes and other human organs. When treatment is stopped, the virus is released from certain organs into the blood and progresses very quickly.

HIV prevention

Infection through domestic means, through animals and kissing is impossible; the main routes for infection are unprotected sex and the use of syringes after an infected person.

Therefore, intimate relationships should only occur with trusted individuals and with the use of condoms. When visiting various tattoo and piercing parlors, you need to make sure that the instruments are sterile; it is even better to ask the master to perform repeated disinfection in your presence.

IN modern society It is difficult to find a person who does not know or have not heard about HIV/AIDS. Of course, most are confident that they will never have to face such a problem, but for this belief to be fully justified, and also to protect yourself from serious illness, you need to know how HIV and AIDS are transmitted. Read more about this and we'll talk in this article.

First you need to understand what the difference between these concepts is. HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus, and AIDS is the body's response to an actively developing infection. Initially, a person becomes infected with an immunodeficiency virus, which cannot be cured either by medicine or by vaccine. After entering the body, the DNA of the host cell and the virus begin to interact. Then the patient’s immune system, trying to protect itself from third-party infection, begins to synthesize antibodies, which provokes a change in the virus at the genetic level.

Note! HIV is initial illness, and AIDS is its final stage. According to statistics, a person can live from 8 to 10 years after contracting the virus. But over time, his immunity becomes weaker and therefore cannot fully fight the pathology. Once the diagnosis of AIDS is confirmed, the patient’s life expectancy ranges from 2 to 6 months (the length of the period may vary depending on the person’s body).

How is it transmitted?

There are several ways to become infected with HIV. The most common ones include the following:

Since in skin there are no macrophages, T-lymphocytes and other cells that could cause HIV to become active; the disease is not transmitted through intact areas of the skin. Also, the immunodeficiency virus is not transmitted through household or airborne transmission, through the bites of various insects or pets, or through tears and saliva. Many people assume that even with an ordinary kiss you can become infected with HIV, but in fact this is not the case.

Risk group

There is a widespread belief that the main carriers of infection are people who engage in disorderly sex life, take narcotic substances by injecting them into the body, or men with non-traditional sexual orientation. But over time, the trend of the disease has changed significantly, as The most common mode of transmission of HIV infection is heterosexual.

Among infected people, there are fewer and fewer representatives of non-traditional sexual orientation or people who take injecting drugs. But during heterosexual sexual intercourse, more and more people become infected with the infection. According to statistics, the number of HIV-infected women is growing exponentially. As a result, the number of children born to infected mothers is increasing sharply.

How AIDS is not transmitted

Contrary to popular belief, you cannot become infected with AIDS:

through the air during talking or coughing, when using household items;
while visiting a public bath, sauna or swimming pool;
upon contact with a potential carrier of the virus, for example, during a handshake.

A diagnostic examination to detect AIDS is prescribed:

people belonging to the group increased risk virus infection. It's about about foreign citizens who regularly go abroad on long business trips;
people who have had to deal with diseases of unknown origin (pathologies whose symptoms are similar to those of AIDS);
people who lead an antisocial lifestyle.

On a note! The danger of this virus is that even after infection a person may not be aware of its presence. The disease is asymptomatic for a long time, appearing at later stages of the course.

Stages and symptoms of AIDS and HIV infection

The course of the disease is divided into several stages, each of which is distinguished by the presence or absence of signs, the nature of their manifestation, as well as the severity of the pathology. By familiarizing yourself with the characteristic signs of HIV infection, you can understand when it is necessary to see a doctor for a diagnostic examination. After all, the sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment is started, the greater the chances of a favorable prognosis. Below are the main stages of HIV.

Table. The course of the disease ranges from HIV to AIDS.

Pathology stage	Description
Incubation	It begins immediately after infection with the virus, therefore, as a rule, it is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms. IN in rare cases The patient develops symptoms resembling influenza or ARVI. Since throughout incubation period Since the body does not produce antibodies, doctors are unable to determine the infection.
Seroconversion	Doctors can already diagnose the disease, since the body at this stage begins to produce antibodies. Among the first symptoms, it is worth highlighting an increase in body temperature - this is how the body fights infection. Other symptoms that are present in viral diseases may also occur.
Asymptomatic	The virus gradually destroys the patient’s immune system, but this pathological process is asymptomatic. The duration of the asymptomatic stage varies from 5 to 15 years. At the same time, the level of lymphocytes in the patient’s blood increases, and the lymph nodes are usually enlarged.
Symptomatic	At this stage, the transformation into AIDS occurs. The patient’s body is no longer able to resist the virus, and against the background weak immunity fungal or viral infections develop. Malignant oncology also occurs.

Note! Emerging secondary pathologies have an irreversible course. Therefore, even high-quality therapy aimed at treating secondary diseases, does not give the desired effect. The patient dies a few months after the diagnosis of AIDS is confirmed.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of the disease should be carried out by a virologist or infectious disease specialist. At the first suspicious symptoms, the patient should immediately seek help from a doctor, who will first prescribe a special test for HIV, popularly referred to as an “AIDS test.” This laboratory test should not be carried out on a compulsory basis, but at the same time, organ or blood donors must undergo an HIV test.

It is very important to conduct a test for people who are in prison, foreign citizens, medical workers and women who are staying at early stage pregnancy. The essence of such a test is to detect antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus and HIV itself in the patient’s blood (during the analysis, the DNA of the virus is detected). Unfortunately, there is no radical method of treating the virus and eliminating it from the body. Most effective method therapy is antiretroviral treatment, which is aimed at slowing the progression of HIV infection. Antiretroviral therapy can delay or prevent the onset of AIDS, thereby returning a person to full life for several decades.

During the highly effective antiretroviral therapy the patient is prescribed several medications (3 or 4) at once, which must be taken regularly for several years. All actions of the patient during treatment must be supervised by specialists. When HIV infection is detected, the patient should conduct healthy image life to strengthen protective functions body. First of all, this concerns proper nutrition, regular exercise and good rest. Should also be avoided severe stress, which have a negative impact on general condition health.

How to avoid infection

Despite the fact that the HIV epidemic is a fairly common phenomenon, if certain recommendations are followed, infection can be avoided. Preventive measures are very simple but effective. To prevent HIV infection, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

HIV infection is a plague not only of the 20th, but also of the 21st century. Every year, the number of people infected with HIV, unfortunately, is steadily growing. Doctors around the world are sounding the alarm, calling on humanity to use common sense - the infection is spreading with escape velocity, and now there are very few areas left that do not have at least one sick person. However, despite the scale of the disaster, every attempt and compliance with precautions increases the chances of victory in this fight for the life and health of the population of the entire globe.

To know how to effectively fight the disease and prevent infection, it is important to first learn what HIV is. The ways of transmission of this infection, its differences from AIDS, symptoms and basic precautions are the topic of our conversation today. So...

What is HIV?

The abbreviation HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. Already based on the name, it becomes clear that pathogenic bacteria attack the immune system. The target is leukocytes, which help eliminate various harmful microorganisms and fungi from the body. Once the number of white blood cells decreases, a person becomes extremely susceptible to various types of infectious diseases.

People with HIV are doomed to death, since the immunodeficiency virus acts throughout life, and a person can die even from the most primitive ARVI. However, it is possible to survive with HIV infection for two to three years, or for ten years.

Are HIV and AIDS the same thing?

HIV should not be confused with AIDS. AIDS is the very last stage of the disease we are considering. The acronym stands for “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,” and the statement that you can become infected with this disease is completely false. It is HIV that causes AIDS, so it is quite possible to eliminate the signs of the syndrome, but alas, it is possible to cure the virus itself. In this regard, AIDS is considered fatal, since it occurs at the very end of the disease and invariably leads to a tragic end.

Source or carrier of HIV infection

HIV-infected people are called carriers of this virus, regardless of the stage of the disease, be it the incubation or terminal period. Infection from the source of the disease is possible at any stage of the disease, however highest probability make contacts with the carrier at the end of incubation and at later dates. Only a person can be HIV-infected.

Now that we have figured out what HIV is and who can become a carrier of the virus, let’s consider possible ways of contracting this infection.

Routes of HIV transmission

HIV infection can be transmitted in only three ways:

From mother to newborn.
Sexually.
Through blood.

Theoretically, there is another method of infection - transplantation and transplantation various organs and tissues from one person to another, as well as artificial insemination women. However, due to careful testing and numerous checks of biological material, the possibility of infection with the virus is thus reduced to absolute zero.

Note that the paths mentioned above are listed from least common to most relevant. Let's consider each of them separately.

Transmission of HIV from mother to newborn

HIV infection can occur both during pregnancy and childbirth, and subsequently during breastfeeding. This method of infection is currently the least possible of the three above, since modern medicine offers various preventive actions based on the use of chemotherapy drugs. They reduce the risk of having HIV-infected children by several percent. As for breastfeeding, only artificial formula is used.

HIV infection can be confirmed in a child only after he reaches 1.5 years of age. However, it is possible to obtain some information earlier, during the first month of the baby’s life. To do this, the child's blood is taken for analysis, but the result will be only 90% reliable.

In this regard, every pregnant woman should be required to undergo an HIV test in order to positive result avoid aggravating the situation and transmitting the infection to the fetus through inaction or, conversely, undesirable effects on the body of certain medications, the use of which is unacceptable in the above conditions.

Sexual transmission of HIV

Unprotected sexual intercourse is a real scourge among homosexuals, drug addicts, prostitutes, as well as those who practice casual sex. The risk of infection among representatives of this contingent is off the charts. Moreover, HIV is no less common in women than in men. According to statistics, more than 85% of respondents were infected through sexual contact. If, before contact with the carrier, a person already had any inflammatory diseases, then the risk of infection increases several times.

Transmission of HIV through blood

Infection with HIV infection through blood is the most common way of acquiring the disease. "Earn" dangerous virus possible via:

Shared use of disposable syringes and needles;

Non-sterile surgical instruments;

Violation of hygienic rules for the operation of cosmetology and dental equipment;

Transfusion of blood and plasma without prior testing.

How not to get infected with HIV

To be fully educated on this issue, you should know how you can’t get HIV. We described the routes of transmission of the virus above, but now let us remember factors that should in no way affect the position of an infected person in society:

Bodily contact, including kissing, provided that there are no open scratches, wounds, or abrasions on the skin;

Food and drinking liquids;

Household items;

Public toilets, showers, swimming pools, seats and handrails in transport;

Cough, sneezing, sweat, tears, breathing;

Animals and insects, including blood-sucking ones.

Despite this, there are many myths that you can catch the virus at any time. Even if you sleep with an infected person in the same bed and eat from the same plate, you will never be able to become infected with HIV - transmission routes work exclusively in three cases already known to us.

Conditions for HIV infection

Despite the ease with which one can catch a known virus, during its transmission certain conditions must be met:

The infection must enter the endangered organism with special biological secretions that have an increased concentration of bacteria;

For the lesion to grow, penetration into the body itself is necessary. If the covers are not damaged, this is simply impossible.

The virus is present in all fluids that it is capable of producing. human body. But at the same time, its concentration in some secrets is much greater than in others. For example, saliva, sweat, tears. If urine enters a foreign body, it cannot transmit HIV. The route of transmission is not important only if the surface of the skin or mucous membranes is not damaged. In other cases, whole liters of such liquids will be required to infect a healthy body.

But secretions such as sperm, pre-ejaculate, vaginal secretions, as well as breast milk and blood already pose a potential danger. After any of the mentioned liquids enters a fertile environment, the level of susceptibility of the affected organism comes into force. The virus will manifest itself in any case, but how early depends on genes, a person’s susceptibility to various diseases, the presence of aggravating conditions and other factors.

Symptoms of HIV

Now let's talk about how the virus can manifest itself externally. Despite the fact that HIV can be determined in men or women by initial stages in most cases it is impossible, but there is still some accompanying this disease symptoms.

Each organism is individual, so determine characteristic features quite problematic. The latest HIV statistics indicate that the first symptoms can be detected both two weeks after infection and two months later. In some cases, symptoms can disappear for an indefinite period, only to subsequently reappear with renewed vigor.

If you experience symptoms such as:

Enlarged lymph nodes;

Regular occurrence of herpes;

Increased body temperature;

Stomatitis;

Dermatitis;

Dramatic weight loss;

Frequent respiratory diseases;

Feverish manifestations;

Indigestion;

Candidiasis and vaginal inflammation in women,

But you shouldn’t attribute everything to various viral and colds. Carefully analyze your recent behavior and the presence of possible factors that could contribute to infection with the virus, and go to the doctor, and then donate blood for HIV.

It is worth remembering that the virus is initial stages behaves very secretly. Even laboratory research unable to recognize a hidden infection. And only after a few years the disease can manifest itself so clearly that doctors no longer have any doubts about the person’s infection.

How long do people live with HIV?

This question is the most pressing for those who have received an HIV-positive result. If we compare the possibilities modern medicine With what was available 10-15 years ago, it is easy to notice that infected citizens began to live a little longer. However, the main criterion for this was not only the improvement of medications and technologies, but also the recognition and acceptance by patients of some undeniable requirements regarding the new way of life, which they now have to comply with.

The results of studying the life expectancy of HIV-infected people cannot be subsumed under any possible logical pattern. Some carriers of the virus can live to a ripe old age, while others do not last even 5 years. If we average all the indicators, it turns out that HIV-infected people live about 10-12 years, but all the boundaries are so blurry and relative that there is no point in clearly stating the duration.

The only thing that can help prolong the patient’s life is strict adherence to the following rules:

Eliminate (or at least significantly limit) the amount of nicotine, alcohol and drugs consumed;

Perform regularly physical exercise, ideally, go in for sports;

Accept vitamin complexes and means to strengthen the immune system;

Switch to a healthy diet;

Visit your healthcare professional regularly.

Although it is too early to talk about a complete victory over the virus, the fact that scientists are currently able to control it speaks for itself.

Ways to protect yourself from HIV infection and precautions

Knowledge is the most important weapon against HIV. We already know the routes of transmission of infection, so now all that remains is to add to this awareness. Preventive measures to prevent infection with the virus are as follows:

Using condoms during sexual intercourse. Do not allow your partner’s sperm, blood, or vaginal fluid to enter your body;

Choose your sexual partners carefully. The more third-party and unprotected sexual relationships your boyfriend or girlfriend has, the higher the likelihood of getting an infection;

Be faithful to your partner yourself;

Avoid group sex;

Do not take other people's personal hygiene items (razors, toothbrushes);

Be extremely careful and attentive in unfamiliar public places;

Watch what your children play with. There are frequent cases of used syringes being found on sites and in sandboxes;

Use only sterilized surgical instruments and syringes no more than once. Demand the same from tattoo artists and cosmetologists whose services you have applied for;

If you are a pregnant woman suspected of having the immunodeficiency virus, do not be lazy to donate blood for HIV. If you receive a positive result, seek help from a specialist. He will appoint necessary medications to minimize the risk of giving birth to an unhealthy child.

The most important danger of HIV infection is that it is very for a long time the virus does not manifest itself in any way. During this period, the carrier of the disease can infect other people without suspecting anything about their condition. That is why it is important to know about the existence of a disease such as HIV, the ways of its spread and the precautions that must be taken in order to fully protect yourself and your loved ones from harm.