HIV and AIDS
Technically two distinct ailments, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) may be thought of as two stages of an autoimmune disease. HIV is the initial infection---the virus works in two ways, killing healthy immune cells and tricking the body to attack itself by destroying infected cells. AIDS is when the immune system is so depleted the body is susceptible to "opportunistic infections," or infections that are not normally fatal, but with AIDS, the body has no ability to fight back.
Methods of Transmission
HIV/AIDS is most commonly transmitted through sexual intercourse, birth to an infected mother and sharing needles and injection equipment. These activities are marked by the body fluids that exhibit the highest concentrations of HIV---blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk. Intercourse includes vaginal, anal and oral sex. Oral sex has a lower transmission rate, but increases drastically when there are open sores or blood in the mouth. This may occur from something as innocuous as flossing or brushing the gums too hard. For any intercourse, the rate of HIV/AIDS transmission increases with the presence of blood or broken skin. This is true for kissing, as well. Only when there is blood or broken skin does an open-mouth kiss present a minimal risk of transmission---casual, closed-mouth kissing is risk-free.
Transmission through an untreated, infected mother risks about one out of every four babies born to these mothers being HIV/AIDS positive. The baby may be infected during the pregnancy or during the birth process. After birth, the baby is at risk to transmission if exposed to the breast milk of an HIV/AIDS positive mother.
HIV/AIDS transmission by the use of unclean or shared needles is due to the probability of blood on these instruments. While drug use is the most common instance of HIV transmission with needles, it is best to use caution with any activities involving needles or any instrument where blood may be present---getting a tattoo or body piercing, acupuncture, sharing household razors. The smallest drop of infected blood is enough to transmit the disease, therefore make sure all equipment used is properly cleaned and disposed of.
Prevention
To identify and prevent methods of transmission, it is best to be familiar with the fluids containing the highest levels of HIV and practice precaution when these are present. If the situation involves blood, such as health care or assisting an injured person, use gloves. Besides areas of skin that are abraded or broken, protect your eyes and mouth since these are points of entry to the body, as well. Bug bites, however, are not a documented method of transmission---not even mosquitoes. To prevent sexual transmission, the best method is abstinence, but the second best is the regular and proper use of latex condoms. Being cautious and informed is the first step to avoid transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Tags: AIDS positive, AIDS transmission, blood broken, blood broken skin, breast milk, broken skin