Thehuman immunodeficiency virus , or HIV , has existed in the United States since at least the seventies , but myth and misconception about how it ’s transmitted still hold on .
Most mass know that the virus is commonly spread through sexual middleman and intravenous drug usage . But what other behaviors are — and are not — peril ingredient ?
HIV: How It’s Transmitted
HIV is spread through sure body fluids , such as origin , semen ( including pre - seminal fluid ) , rectal fluids , vaginal fluids , and breast milk , according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesAIDS.govwebsite . The virus can be transmitted when these fluids in an infected person amount into striking with mucose membrane in the rectum , vagina , penis , or mouth of another mortal .
While HIV can be spread duringanal or vaginal sex activity , anal retentive sexual urge is riskier because there is more trauma and botheration to the mucose tissue layer , saysBeverly Sha , MD , prof of medicine in the sectionalisation of infective diseases at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago .
Although the risk is low , HIV can also be circularise through oral sexual urge . HIV transmission can happen during ejaculation into the back talk , or if there are mouth ulceration , bleeding gums , venereal sores , or other sexually transmitted disease confront , according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention .
Using prophylactic during sex activity lower berth the risk of HIV transmission . “ When they are used decent , it ’s vindicated they proffer significant trade protection , ” Dr. Sha aver . However , condoms can fail when they break , if they ’re too old , or if they are not used correctly .
The computer virus can also spread if infected fluids come into contact with damaged tissue paper , such as a cutting in the tegument , or if infected blood is transferred from a needle or syringe . Doing injection drugs with someone who is infected and divvy up equipment is high endangerment . HIV can be found in a used acerate leaf for as long as 42 days .
Pregnancy is another risk factor to be aware of . While HIV can be propagate from an infected female parent to her baby during pregnancy , treatmentlowers the chances to less than 1 percent , according toBe in the Know , a nonprofit commit to HIV and AIDS education .
HIV: How It’s Not Transmitted
The following are nine ways the virus isnotspread :
Kissing and TouchingSocial kissing and hug pose no peril of transmission , Sha says . Also , being sexual with someone without exchange infected body fluids does not start the virus . The only clock time rich kissing is a peril is when the personinfected with HIVhas open sores or oral bleeding , Sha notes .
Sharing a Living SpaceAny casual contact lens with someone who has HIV , including sharing a bathroom , is safe . However , Sha tells patients not to share razor brand or soup-strainer . If someone who is infect gouge himself while paring or has bleeding gums , it could increase risk of transmission .
Sharing Food or UtensilsThe virus can not survive on surfaces , so sharing utensils and other household item will not pass around HIV . you’re able to share a repast with someone who is infect without worry . Transmission has been very rarely associated with mother pre - chewing intellectual nourishment for their baby , when infected blood from the mouth admixture with the food . have it away as pre - mastication , it is a common exercise in Africa , but not typically done in the United States , Sha says .
Saliva , Sweat , or TearsAn infected person ’s saliva , sweat , and tears do not put you at hazard .
Helping an Injured Person With HIVWearing baseball glove while doing so is idealistic ; but even if the somebody ’s blood make out into contact with your intact hide , you should not worry . “ We do n’t consider ancestry exposure to integral skin to be a peril , ” Sha says . There needs to be a cut or abrasion to allow the virus to get past the skin level .
Water FountainsSipping from a water fountain after someone who has HIV used it is considered casual middleman and will not pass to transmission .
Mosquitoes and Other InsectsThe computer virus is not viable in insects or ticks , Sha say .
Toilet SeatsHIV can not pull through on surfaces , so this is not a business organization .
Modern blood line TransfusionsDonated rake is screen out and disposed of if it tests positive for HIV . Advanced engineering has made screening increasingly sensitive at identifying the virus , Sha says .
Jane Yoon Scott , MD , is an infectious disease physician and an assistant professor of practice of medicine atEmory Universityin Atlanta . Dr. Scott enjoys connecting with her patient , authorize them to realize and take ownership of their wellness , and encouraging them to ask inquiry so that they can make informed and thoughtful decisions .
She graduated with the highest award from the Georgia Institute of Technology , then receive her MD from the Medical College of Georgia . She fill in her interior medical specialty residence training and chief abidance at Temple University Hospital , as well as a fellowship in infectious disease at Emory University . She is display board - license in both internal medication and infectious disease .
When she is not understand patients , Dr. Scott works with neighboring wellness departments to kick upstairs public health , especially to residential district that have been historically underserved . She also teaches aesculapian trainees and lectures aesculapian scholar at the Emory University School of Medicine .
In her liberal time , Dr. Scott appreciates a good coffee shop , weekend hiking , playing guitar , strolling through city , sampling restaurants , and travel to new places .
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