What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV, or the ‘human immunodeficiency virus’ is the virus that causes an HIV infection. If left untreated HIV can lead to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). HIV acts by attacking and destroying the body’s CD4 cells which form an important part of the body’s immune system designed to fight infections. This means that, if left untreated, HIV makes it difficult for the body to fight off infections, and it is at this point that the condition becomes known as AIDS.
How is HIV Transmitted?
The key word is ‘body fluids’
HIV is spread, or transmitted, only through contact with certain body fluids from a person who has HIV. The body fluids include:
Blood
Semen
Pre-Seminal Fluids
Vaginal Fluids
Rectal Fluids
Breast Milk
How does it work in practice?
HIV can be transmitted through:
Anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV without adequate protection. Remember that there is a higher risk of transmission in anal sex since the mix of blood in tears within the anal wall and semen lead to possible direct transmission if either partner has HIV
Sharing injection drug equipment such as needles with people who have HIV
Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding if the mother or child-bearer has HIV
Oral sex (by putting the mouth on a penis, a vagina or anus), while at low risk for HIV transmission, increases in risk if there is presence of fluids such as semen from an ejaculation or vaginal fluids;
Pre-chewed food, by a person with HIV who also has oral hygiene issues that therefore introduces blood in the food. Similarly, deep, open-mouth kissing where both partners have sores or bleeding gums, that would allow HIV to enter the bloodstream.
How is HIV NOT Transmitted?
You WILL NOT get HIV from:
shaking hands
hugging
Dishes, forks, spoons or knives
Toilet seats, towels or doorknobs
If you’re still wondering…
HIV dies almost immediately once it gets in contact with air. The virus therefore cannot be transmitted from air or water. It dies if injected in food that is later consumed, and does not survives in mosquitoes, ticks or any other insect that can pierce the skin or suck blood. Equally, saliva, tears or sweat and casual contact do not transmit HIV.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
Symptoms of HIV vary, and often consist of flu-like symptoms lasting between a few days or several weeks. Following this period, in which HIV would be multiplying very rapidly, there may be a several years without symptoms or signs of transmission. When, and if, they occur, these symptoms would often be as a result of ‘opportunistic infections’ which are a result of a weakened immune system, at which point HIV would have developed into AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). It is important to remember that this stage can be completely avoided if HIV is diagnosed and treated.
More importantly HIV can be transmitted at any stage of HIV infection, with or without symptoms. Nevertheless, remember that Undetectable = Untransmitabble, and therefore there is a much lower risk of transmission from a person who you are personally aware is treating HIV effectively and especially if you follow all precautions.
Undetectable = Untransmittable
Undetectable = Untransmittable is a message that is based on three important academic studies based on 20 years of evidence, that showed that a person with HIV, taking effective Antiretroviral Treatment, has a very low risk of transmitting HIV. These studies have shown that treatment is able to reduce the viral load to an undetectable level, making HIV untransmittable. It is important to note that the viral load can only be known by taking a viral load test.
