How HIV infection is transmitted - ways of contracting the virus. The likelihood of contracting HIV through unprotected sex. The chance of contracting HIV through sexual contact.

HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus that causes the most dangerous disease - HIV infection. Unfortunately, in our time this problem is more relevant than ever. Many reasons and factors lead different people to this disease. Representatives of both sexes become infected with HIV, but there is an opinion that it is easier for a man to become infected with this dangerous virus than for a woman.

The human immunodeficiency virus is stable and active only in a living organism. After contact with a carrier or patient with HIV, the microorganism penetrates through various entrance gates to an uninfected person, circulates in the blood and begins to invade cells. The RNA of the virus, under the influence of many biological subunits, is converted into DNA, and then integrated into the DNA of a healthy human cell. The cell is “reprogrammed” and begins to divide to form the same infected cells.

The specificity of the virus is that the cells it attacks are not ordinary, but immune cells (lymphocytes). They are involved in eliminating pathogenic bacteria and viruses, thus fighting infections.

Manifestations of HIV in men

The virus has a long incubation period, that is, after infection the disease does not develop for a long time. HIV can circulate in the blood from a week to two months - it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body, virulence (i.e. the degree of force with which the virus affects a person), immunity and other factors. During the incubation period, no symptoms are observed.

• Fever;
• Headache;
• Muscle soreness;
• Severe diarrhea;
• Loss of body weight;
• Possible development of respiratory tract diseases;
• Attachment of the herpes virus.

After a couple of weeks, an asymptomatic period (latent) begins. It can last up to 10 years (this depends on the activity of immune cells). It is characterized by the absence of symptoms, except perhaps enlarged lymph nodes. If during this period the HIV infection does not develop into AIDS, then antiviral therapy is prescribed for life, and the HIV patient can live to old age.

Stage of AIDS (terminal). From the onset of the first symptoms, a patient with HIV infection can live for about a year without treatment. HIV-infected people die from tumor diseases or from severe infections that attack a weakened body.

HIV diagnosis

The diagnosis of HIV is made on the basis of a laboratory blood test - antibodies (immune cells aimed at fighting a specific pathogen) to the immunodeficiency virus are detected. It is prohibited to force someone to take an HIV test; a person must express his/her desire to have blood taken for HIV or be directed by a doctor.

The first blood sample is taken after 2 weeks from the moment of infection (but not later than 3 months). Repeated analysis is carried out after 6 months.

If a repeated blood sample shows a positive result (antibodies are detected), a control test is prescribed to confirm the diagnosis as accurately as possible. The research results and diagnosis are communicated personally to the patient. This information is confidential and is available only to the doctor and the patient.

Sexual transmission

What is the likelihood of both sexes becoming infected with HIV? The chances of becoming infected with HIV are higher for males than for females. Statistics show that males predominate among drug addicts - hence the risk of infection through injections with a shared syringe is higher. We should also not forget that men are more likely to be promiscuous.

HIV infection can occur quite easily - just having contact with an infected environment or organism is enough.

Unprotected sexual intercourse between a man and a woman almost always (statistically 99%) leads to infection if the partner is sick or is a carrier of the virus. However, there is still 1% - infection may not occur due to the increased activity of the prostate glands, which produce a secretion rich in bactericidal compounds. But this also requires a small percentage of viruses in the vaginal secretion.

Sexual contact is the most common cause of HIV infection. The worst scenario in this case is if the infected person is promiscuous and does not remember the intended partner - the carrier of the virus. It should also be noted that circumcised men are most susceptible to infection. The foreskin contains prostate secretion, and it is known to help eliminate (destruct) the virus.

There is a question based on ignorance of the pathogenesis of HIV and methods of infection: is it possible to become infected with HIV through short sexual intercourse? Yes, it's possible. A single contact of a man with the vaginal contents of an infected woman during sex is highly likely to lead to infection. And if a woman has sexually transmitted diseases, the infection rate is 100%.

The fact is that the vagina has an acidic environment that suppresses the activity of pathogenic flora. Diseases of the genital organs lead to a disruption of the acid-base state of the environment, changing it to the alkaline (basic) side, and thereby favoring the accumulation of the virus in the vagina.

It is also possible to transmit the virus from man to man during sexual intercourse. The earliest recorded case of sexual transmission of HIV was homosexual contact between men. The probability of infection here is also 100%. Also because homosexuals are at risk of carrying and contracting the virus.

Oral transmission

Unprotected sexual contact and contact with seminal fluid on surfaces that have wounds and injuries (anus, oral cavity) are the cause of HIV entering the body. And since microscopic tears in the mucous membrane always occur during anal sex, the virus easily penetrates through these entrance gates into the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.

Transmission of viruses orally is considered the most dangerous. Diseases of the oral mucosa, such as stomatitis, aphthae, gingivitis, caries and other dental diseases are the cause of high capillary permeability.

HIV can easily be transmitted from a sick woman to a man during oral sex. In this case, the virus will quickly penetrate both the prostate gland and the urethra, and will also enter the blood and again begin to be delivered through its current to immune cells in various organs.

Infection in everyday life and medicine

In addition to the sexual route, there are some procedures and situations that at first glance do not pose a risk of infection, but this is not the case:

• Contact of wound surfaces with the blood of an infected person. Most often, doctors and laboratory assistants who do not follow safety precautions, have wounds and open surfaces can become infected in this way. For example, a dentist, if a drop of blood from an HIV-infected person gets on his eyes (splashes during tooth extraction, surgery on the mucous membrane), is likely to become infected. In everyday life, there is very little contact between the wound surfaces of sick and healthy people.
• It is also possible for a man to become infected through tools of common use, such as razors and hairdressing supplies. The chances of becoming infected are low, since the virus is unstable outside the human body. But you still shouldn’t use common tools. Therefore, hairdressing and manicure instruments must be thoroughly cleaned and treated with disinfectants.
• The risk of infection in a public bath, sauna, solarium, or swimming pool is extremely low. Constant cleaning of these premises using disinfectant solutions and high temperatures (in a bathhouse, sauna) reduce the likelihood of the virus being found there to zero;
• Blood transfusion remains the most common “non-sexual” cause of HIV infection. If there is a virus in the donor’s blood, then the recipient who receives his cells will certainly become a virus carrier and suffer from HIV infection. Donors are forced to donate blood for detection of antibodies to HIV, because the future life of those who need it primarily depends on it. However, there are situations when there is a virus in the blood, but according to tests it is not there. This is the so-called “serological negative window”. For this reason, even “clean” blood is allowed to be transfused after 6 months - in order to first test it for HIV;
• Organ transplantation from HIV-infected people leads to infection in 8 out of 10 cases. After all, immune cells are found not only in the blood, but also in organs.

Treatment and prevention

Prevention of HIV infection involves using protective equipment every time you have sexual intercourse. It is important to be careful during sex and not allow your partner's secretions to enter the bloodstream due to accidental injuries. It is also necessary to use individual devices and tools in everyday life, and in public places use your own accessories or monitor the quality of disinfection measures performed.

If the diagnosis of HIV is confirmed, therapy is prescribed aimed at destroying the human immunodeficiency virus. Antiviral drugs of this series block the reproduction of the virus, promoting the accumulation of healthy immune cells and the fight against the pathogenic microorganism.

To understand the likelihood of contracting HIV from a single unprotected contact, it is necessary to understand how human viral immunodeficiency is transmitted and how it is not transmitted. You should know that there are three main ways of transmitting HIV.

Firstly, through blood. This can happen during transfusion therapy, when administering drugs or drugs with a syringe used by a sick person. Also, upon contact of the wound surface, infection occurs in 100% of cases.

Secondly, the sexual route of infection. This method is the most common. The likelihood of contracting HIV from a single unprotected contact depends on many factors. Using a condom greatly minimizes the risk of transmission. According to the study, it became known that the virus can leak through latex. The risk increases if thin, low-quality products are used.

It is also important to know that a woman risks 3 times more than a man, since the suction surface of the vagina is larger than that of the penis. The risk increases when sperm enters the vagina, in the presence of trauma (including cervical erosion), during menstrual bleeding, or in the presence of a concomitant sexually transmitted disease.

Oral sexual contact can lead to infection if there is a violation of the integrity of the oral mucosa or semen gets into the mouth.

Anal sex is the most dangerous option, as it is almost always associated with the formation of microcracks in the anus and rectum. Therefore, the likelihood of contracting HIV even with one such unprotected contact is very high.

Thirdly, during pregnancy and childbirth. Moreover, if the infected mother receives appropriate treatment and is under constant medical supervision, the risk of infection of the baby is reduced to 1%. In 20 cases out of 100, transmission of the virus from mother to child occurs during lactation, therefore, in the case of a positive test, artificial feeding is recommended.

According to average statistical data in percentage terms, the picture of HIV spread looks like this:

• Infection during sexual intercourse is 70-80%.
• Infection among injection drug users is 5-10%.
• From a sick mother during pregnancy and lactation 5-10%.
• During blood transfusion 3-5%.
• Healthcare facility staff in contact with patients 0.01%.

note

On the forum you can find information that causes reassurance that one episode of vaginal intercourse does not lead to infection. This is a rather dangerous myth.

The chance of contracting HIV with one unprotected contact is the same as with several. It all depends not on the frequency, but on the type of sex, gender and the presence of aggravating factors. For example, the entry of infected sperm into the vagina during menstruation significantly increases the risks. Therefore, the use of a condom is mandatory, and in the case of unprotected casual sex, post-exposure prophylaxis and consultation with a specialist are necessary.

The risk of HIV infection and factors that increase this likelihood

The risk of contracting HIV depends on many factors, most notably the route of transmission. The lowest probability of infection is among medical workers (less than 0.01%). If all safety rules are followed, even direct contact with patients does not pose a potential threat.

The largest percentage of infections occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse. Moreover, a woman is exposed to danger 3 times more than her partner. This is due to physiological characteristics, since a large number of viruses enter the body through the surface of the vagina along with sperm. The risk of HIV infection increases during defloration, in the presence of microtraumas on the skin and mucous membrane of the genital organs, as well as the presence of cervical erosion. The possibility of the virus entering the body with concomitant diseases of PPP increases significantly, since these ailments cause inflammation of the mucous membrane of the genital organs, ulcers and other damage.

A huge number of lymphocytes are released into the tissue, including T-4, which are a target for immunodeficiency viruses. After contact with an HIV-infected person, within 10 hours a person becomes a source and distributor of viruses. Diagnosis becomes effective at least three months after suspicious contact; repeated tests must be taken 6 and 12 months after it. The second highest risk of contracting AIDS or HIV infection is getting an injection from a contaminated needle. This usually happens during infusion therapy or when drugs are administered.

The likelihood of contracting HIV in men through traditional sexual intercourse is several times lower than in women. If infection does occur, then a few weeks after the virus enters the body, a deterioration in well-being is observed, which resembles the symptoms of a cold.

Low-grade fever, pain and sore throat, enlargement and inflammation of the inguinal and axillary lymph nodes appear. The infection then goes into a latent stage for several months or years. The duration of this period depends on the lifestyle and state of the patient’s immune system. During the latent stage, acute respiratory infections may become more frequent, fungal infections may worsen, minor skin lesions may fester and take a long time to heal. Such signs should be a reason to consult a doctor.

The first signs of the disease in women:

1. An unreasonable, sharp increase in temperature up to 40 degrees, which does not go down for a week or more.
2. Headache, asthenia, excessive sweating, lymphopathy.
3. Decreased or lack of appetite, dyspepsia.
4. Menstrual irregularities, pain during menstruation, profuse mucous vaginal discharge.

Despite the fact that the likelihood of contracting HIV infection in men is slightly lower than in women, both should remember the methods of preventing this dangerous disease. Routine pharmacoprophylaxis is recommended for persons with a negative HIV status, but associated with an increased risk of infection (homosexuals who do not have a regular partner; sex workers).

Prevention is aimed at preventing the development of HIV infection and involves the daily use of antiviral drugs. To increase efficiency, the method should be used in combination with condoms. For this purpose, combinations of 2 or 3 antiviral agents are used, namely fusion inhibitors, reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors.

Emergency prophylaxis is a short course of using antiviral drugs after unprotected sexual contact with an HIV-infected person or if such is suspected, as well as contact with contaminated blood, seminal fluid or medical instruments. Prevention must begin within 12 hours after sexual intercourse. A delay of 24 hours is allowed, but not later than 72 hours. The minimum preventive course is 28 days.

What is the risk of HIV infection in men? This question worries many. HIV, or is a virus that infects the cells of the immune system, as a result of which they cease to perform their functions. It is important for every person to know the mechanism of development of the disease, its clinical manifestations and methods of infection.

Pathogenesis of the disease

The virus enters the body and spreads in the blood and lymph.

Gastric juice, saliva, and urine contain enzymes that can reduce the concentration of the virus to a minimum (which is why it is impossible to become infected through these fluids). The virus cannot exist outside a living organism for more than a few seconds, and also dies immediately at temperatures above 70ºC, at 56ºC - after 30 minutes.

When a virus cell enters the body, it integrates into a living cell. It converts its RNA into DNA, then introduces it into the DNA of the host cell, changing T-lymphocytes, forcing it to produce similar viral cells and destroy existing ones. It is assumed that the virus responds to certain T-lymphocyte receptors - CD4 cells.

Clinical manifestations of HIV infection in men

HIV belongs to the genus of lentiviruses with a long incubation period.

For this reason, a person may not be aware of an existing infection for many years, as the symptoms are difficult to distinguish from many other diseases.

There are several stages of development of the virus in the human body:

1. Incubation (from 10 to 60 days). Antibodies to HIV are not produced, and it is impossible to determine the presence of HIV in the blood.
2. Acute (several weeks). It may manifest itself with symptoms such as fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, prolonged diarrhea, sudden weight loss, upper respiratory tract infection, herpes.
3. Latent or asymptomatic (on average about 10 years, depending on the immune system). In the absence of therapy, it may not manifest itself at all or be accompanied only by a painless enlargement of the lymph nodes. If the infection has not progressed to the AIDS stage, lifelong antiretroviral therapy blocks the development of the infection and allows the patient to live into old age. Without treatment, a person can live 9-11 years before developing AIDS.
4. Terminal (AIDS). From the moment of diagnosis without treatment, a person can live for about 1 year, dying from tumors or opportunistic (attack only in severe immunodeficiency) infections that affect almost all body systems.

HIV is diagnosed by a blood test to check for antibodies to the virus. The first analysis is carried out between 2 weeks and 3 months after the suspected infection. A repeat test is carried out six months later.

If the second test gives a positive result, another confirming test is prescribed. The results of the analysis are communicated personally to the patient and are confidential. Compulsory HIV testing is prohibited, except for testing blood and organ donors to avoid infecting others. All HIV-positive individuals are regularly tested for immune status and viral load to monitor the development of the virus.

Methods of infection with a virus

As described above, the virus cannot exist outside a living organism, at high temperatures, and is transmitted only from an infected person through blood, breast milk or sexual fluids. It is impossible to become infected with HIV:

1. Through kisses, since saliva contains enzymes that can destroy or reduce the concentration of viral cells to a minimum amount. In rare cases, there is a small risk of transmission of the virus in the presence of fresh wounds or inflammation in the oral cavity.
2. By airborne droplets (sneezing, talking).
3. Through sweat, tears, urine (handshake, towel, bed linen, shared toilet).
4. For insect or animal bites.
5. When swimming in a pool or pond, since the virus dies when it gets into the water.

Sexual route of infection in men

About 70-80% of cases of infection in the world occur in this way. There are risk factors that increase the likelihood of sexually transmitted infection:

1. During unprotected sexual intercourse, the likelihood of contracting HIV is highest for both men and women, since the virus is contained in semen and vaginal secretions. Proper use of quality condoms can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV or STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
2. Anal sex increases the risk of infection, since in this case there is a high probability of cracks and inflammation of the anus and rectum.
3. A passive (receiving partner) is more susceptible to infection than an active one, during any type of sexual intercourse.
4. The presence of sexually transmitted diseases and STDs increases the risk of infection through sexual contact, since they can often be accompanied by the presence of ulcers and inflammation of the mucous membrane, that is, the protection of the skin is impaired, which facilitates the penetration of the virus into the body. The presence of cervical erosion increases the likelihood of infection not only in women, but also in men, since the virus can enter the man’s body along with exfoliated uterine cells.

Women are 3 times more at risk of infection than men for the following reasons:

• a larger amount of the virus enters the female body with sperm;
• its concentration in semen is higher than in vaginal secretions;
• Due to their anatomical structure, women are more susceptible to inflammation of the reproductive system and contracting STDs, which increases the likelihood of contracting HIV.

Other methods of infection

Injection and instrumental methods of infection. This route of infection is most common among people who inject drugs. The reason is obvious: the use of a shared syringe. HIV lives in a heroin solution for about 21 days, in the cavity of a needle - for several days. Infections in this way account for 5-10% of all cases. Instrumental route - infection through undisinfected instruments for tattooing, piercing, manicure.

Blood transfusion and transplantation route of infection. The blood transfusion route is the transmission of the virus during the transfusion of contaminated blood, the transplant route is the transmission of organs. Currently, they account for 3-5% of all cases, as the practice of testing all blood and organ donors for HIV is observed.

Perinatal and milk route of infection. Perinatal (vertical) is the route of transmission of the virus from the pregnant mother to the fetus. Milk - HIV infection through breastfeeding. Account for 5-10% of all cases. Currently, when planning a pregnancy, a woman must take an HIV test, and if the result is positive, therapy is prescribed to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to the child.

After birth, the baby is tested for the presence of antibodies in the blood, but a reliable result can be obtained only at 1.5 years, when a mandatory repeat test is carried out.

Professional and household routes of infection. As a rule, medical workers who come into contact with blood, breast milk, seminal or vaginal fluids are to blame for occupational infection with the virus. This only happens if patients have damaged areas of skin. Is less than 0.01%. In such cases, no later than 72 hours after the suspected infection, aggressive antiretroviral therapy is started, and HIV tests are regularly performed. In everyday life, transmission of the virus in rare cases is possible when sharing shaving utensils or haircut scissors with an infected person.

Treatment and prevention of HIV

It involves the implementation of antiretroviral therapy, which blocks the virus, which promotes the formation of immune cells in the body. If there are concomitant infections, their treatment is required.

In order to prevent HIV infection, it is necessary to take precautions: practice protected sexual intercourse; avoid casual sex; when in contact with liquids containing the virus, take the necessary protective measures; do not take drugs; visit trusted clinics, dentists, cosmetic, tattoo and piercing parlors that have a license, where you will be confident that instruments will be thoroughly sterilized.

Many people believe the myth that the likelihood of contracting HIV from a single unprotected contact is minimal. For this reason, they lead a carefree, sexually, lifestyle, and during one-time intercourse they ignore contraceptives.

Actually this is not true. It is during a single contact that the immunodeficiency virus is transmitted much more often than through other routes of infection.

The number of HIV-infected people is increasing every day. An untested infected person with whom sexual contact occurred is a carrier of immunodeficiency, and is one of the main reasons for contracting the virus. Such contact can result in disastrous consequences not only for health, but also for life.

According to survey statistics, most patients not only do not remember their partner’s last name, but even their first name. This factor indicates that most people do not believe in the likelihood of infection through unprotected contact that occurred only once, and do not want to realize the danger that threatens not only their health, but also that of some others.

Specialists and scientists in the field of medicine who study immunodeficiency have concluded that the chances of becoming infected with HIV, as well as not being infected, are approximately the same. Of course, the risk of acquiring an infection is higher.

It may be worth considering whether unprotected sexual intercourse is so important, as it increases the chances of contracting HIV, and AIDS will naturally follow.

When HIV infection occurs, a person’s gender plays an important role.

To this day, there is constant debate among scientists about whether the risk of contracting HIV is the same for both females and males during a single sexual intercourse.

Some experts are of the opinion that yes.

But others have a completely different point of view. They believe that an unprotected act is more dangerous for a woman. One of the main reasons is even the slightest damage to the vagina and uterus. For example, with erosion.

An open wound allows infection to enter the bloodstream immediately. After this, the spread of infection throughout the body can no longer be avoided.

Many people mistakenly assume that during the menstrual cycle with unprotected contact, the risk of infection is almost impossible.

Women are more at risk of contracting any disease that is sexually transmitted. All this happens due to ulcers and erosions that are located on the external and internal areas of the genital organs. This factor increases the likelihood of contracting HIV, the consequence of which is AIDS.

We also must not forget that in women, the immune system greatly reduces its activity during any infectious diseases that can only be contracted through sexual contact. This situation further increases the chance of acquiring the immunodeficiency virus.

Although the percentage of HIV infections in men is slightly lower, this does not mean that the safety of unprotected sexual intercourse is guaranteed. Every male representative should remember this and always take precautions.

It should be borne in mind that the presence of immunodeficiency in the sperm of an infected man is much greater than in the secretion secreted by the vagina. This is another reason why the fair half of humanity is more susceptible to developing a disease such as AIDS.

For a man, unprotected one-time contact with an infected partner is no less dangerous when the following factors are present:

• during the menstrual cycle;
• in the presence of erosion or any other damage;
• if there are any other diseases, the infection of which occurs only through the genitals.

For men, the pressing question is what is the likelihood of contracting HIV, AIDS, if interruption of sexual intercourse is used for contraception.

An equally common question is whether it is possible to become infected with HIV if you deviate from traditional sexual intercourse, or whether it is possible to acquire the infection during other types of sexual contact?

Scientists say that with a single anal intercourse without using contraception, the likelihood of becoming HIV-infected is much greater than with traditional sex. HIV transmission lies in the mucous membrane of the anus and passage, which are covered with a large number of microcracks and ulcers. It is not safe to experience this type of sex for the first time.

The reason in this case lies not only in the first penetration, but also from such influencing factors: poor nutrition, constipation, hemorrhoids, proctitis or other similar problems.

When sperm lands on a damaged surface, its penetration into the blood occurs much faster, and immunodeficiency cells immediately begin an active spreading action.

For this reason, the percentage of HIV and AIDS infection among homosexuals is much higher than in other cases.

At first glance, it seems that the safest is oral sex. But that's not true. Although minimal, there is a risk of contracting the immunodeficiency virus.

In this case, the threat of infection increases for the receiving partner. The reasons for this are damage to the oral cavity:

• the mucous membrane is damaged as a result of the slightest injury:
• after tooth loss or extraction if there is an open space for infections;
• for gum diseases.

Having information about the acquisition of immunodeficiency during a single sexual intercourse is not enough. By taking all necessary precautions, you can not only not risk your health, but also protect yourself completely. But, in no case should you give in to passionate impulses and ignore contraception.

If you always remember that contraceptives, in the form of a condom, protect against HIV infection almost one hundred percent, then during a one-time contact there is practically no possibility of becoming infected.

After one-time sexual intercourse with an unreliable partner, in order to reduce the likelihood of acquiring the immunodeficiency virus, it is worth contacting specialists to prescribe certain medications designed to reduce the risks of infection.

In most cases, after a course of treatment, everything ends well. You just need to contact no later than the third day. The duration of the prophylaxis itself is approximately a month. Then a re-examination is done. If the infection is still present, special medications are prescribed to prevent the rapid spread of the virus in the body.

But you shouldn’t have much hope that earlier medical intervention will be able to completely protect against HIV.

You should never forget to take safety precautions. The best option is to lead a sexual lifestyle with only one reliable partner.

The human immunodeficiency virus is the causative agent of slowly progressive HIV infection. The danger of the pathology lies in the ongoing destruction of immune cells, which leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and serious consequences when the body's protective functions are weakened so much that it loses the ability to resist diseases. Without specific treatment, an HIV patient dies on average 10 years after infection. Antiretroviral therapy helps extend life to 70-80 years.

To date, there is no vaccine against HIV. The only way to prevent danger is to follow preventive measures that reduce the risk of transmission of the virus to a minimum. There are several variants of infection. To understand how to protect yourself from this, you need to figure out what the likelihood of contracting HIV is in each specific case.

Transmission of the virus through blood

In a sick person, the virus is contained in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, sweat and other biological fluids. Infection occurs through direct contact with damaged mucous membranes and the circulatory system. The high probability of HIV infection through blood transfusion is due to gross non-compliance with mandatory donor screening by medical personnel. If the donor is a carrier of the virus, a healthy person will show signs of infection within the next 3 months. They are similar to the symptoms of a cold - fever, sore throat, headaches, loss of appetite.

The virus can penetrate from blood to blood through contact between open wounds. Intact (intact) skin serves as a kind of barrier that prevents the transmission of infection, so infected blood itself, if it gets on healthy skin, does not pose any threat. With injections, the likelihood of HIV increases rapidly if medical instruments are poorly or not sterilized at all. This method is common among drug addicts who use the same needles.

Attention! About 10% of HIV-infected people are drug addicts who inject psychotropic substances.

Infection at home - is it possible?

The household route is one of the rarest options, accounting for less than 1% of all cases of transmission of the immunodeficiency virus. Infection is possible when the following things are used simultaneously with the patient:

• manicure scissors, tongs;
• razors, hairdressing equipment;
• tools for tattoos, piercing;
• glucometer lancets;
• other piercing and cutting objects.

Health care workers whose patients may be HIV carriers are also susceptible to “occupational” infection, although the risk is small. This occurs when an unintentional needle punctures and infected blood enters the eyes, mouth, open wounds, and mucous membranes.

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV

Diagnosed HIV in a pregnant woman is not an indication for abortion. Modern therapeutic methods have reduced the likelihood of HIV transmission from woman to child to 1%. The main thing is to start treatment already in the first trimester and be under constant medical supervision. To protect the baby during delivery, it is recommended to perform a caesarean section.

The lactation period also deserves special attention. An infected mother has the immunodeficiency virus in her breast milk. The probability of pathogen transmission during lactation reaches 20-25%. This can only be prevented through artificial feeding.

Risk during sexual intercourse

Sexual transmission of infection is the most common among all possible ones. The probability of HIV during unprotected intercourse with a sick person reaches 80%, and this figure does not change depending on the type of intimacy. Anal sexual intercourse almost always involves injury to the rectal mucosa and the formation of cracks in the anus, which facilitates the penetration of infection. During oral sex, the likelihood of HIV rapidly increases in the presence of acute diseases of the oral cavity, caries, inflammation of the gums, and after swallowing the sperm of a partner with a positive HIV status.

Important! Women are infected 3 times more often than men. This is due to the fact that the vagina has a much larger area of ​​mucous membrane than the penis.

The probability of HIV with a single contact will be the same as with multiple contacts. The risk is minimized by high-quality barrier contraceptives. A condom made of latex that is too thin or has expired can break at the most crucial moment, which can lead not only to the transmission of the virus, but also to contracting an STD, as well as an unwanted pregnancy.

Factors that increase the risk of sexual transmission

Statistics show that sex with a sick person does not always lead to infection, but there are several factors that increase the likelihood of HIV transmission:

1. Venereal diseases in acute form. Most of them accompany inflammatory processes in the internal genital organs, ulcerative formations, and inhibition of healthy microflora. In addition, a huge number of lymphocytes - immune cells that serve as the main target for the immunodeficiency virus - "seek" towards the pathological focus.
2. The risk group includes women suffering from cervical erosion during menstruation, in case of defloration.
3. A large number of sexual partners, especially if there is unprotected intimacy.

Low immunity and chronic diseases contribute to the rapid spread of the virus throughout the body. The development of HIV infection and later AIDS can be prevented through antiviral therapy started immediately after sexual intercourse. The prophylactic course usually lasts at least 28 days.

How to avoid infection

The fight against a dangerous infection has long been brought to the global level, due to the high prevalence of HIV among the population of the entire planet. Schools, higher education institutions, and various public organizations are informed about the seriousness of the disease and ways to prevent infection. Prevention includes several standard recommendations:

1. For any type of sexual contact, you must use a condom. The likelihood of contracting HIV is reduced to 1%.
2. Avoid spontaneous intimate relationships with casual acquaintances.
3. Completely stop using drugs. Addictions of this kind push people to rash actions - using unsterile syringes, engaging in intimacy without contraception.
4. Timely treat chronic pathologies that reduce the body's resistance.

A single test is not enough to confirm or refute an HIV diagnosis. To ensure the reliability of the result, at least 3 laboratory tests must be done. During an active sexual life, for the purpose of prevention, it is recommended to periodically test for both HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.

It is worth noting that HIV is not transmitted by airborne droplets, through water, touch, household items (unless they have a piercing function), or insect bites. This leads to the conclusion that if basic precautions are taken, communication with an infected person is safe.