How HIV and AIDS are transmitted to humans. How can I determine if I could have been infected with HIV or AIDS? recently updated! How does AIDS spread?

Statistics show that not everyone knows how HIV is transmitted from person to person. More than 30 years ago, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was isolated. This disease is considered, if not the most terrible, then one of them. In just over 30 years, this virus has spread across the entire planet, and there is practically not a single corner of the Earth where a case of HIV infection has not been recorded. Today, more than 40 million people are carriers of this virus, and its spread is not only not decreasing, but is also spreading at high speed.

All about HIV

Many people are mistaken when they consider HIV and AIDS to be the same disease. But the connection is still there. The immunodeficiency virus enters the body first. It can be present in the body for ten years without showing itself in any way. Under certain circumstances, a virus can provoke an HIV infection, and against the background of any disease, even a minor one, it can develop into AIDS. AIDS is a disease with a 100% fatal outcome.

HIV originally emerged in the countries of Central Africa, and there are hypotheses that this virus appeared a very long time ago, but was not known to doctors and scientists. In addition, some species of monkeys that lived on the same continent were carriers of this virus, and it is quite possible that humans were originally infected from monkeys. In the 20th century, the movement of people, including from Africa, became widespread, and therefore the virus spread beyond the African continent. In modern history, the first case of HIV infection was recorded in 1981, and since then this virus has been triumphantly sweeping the planet.

HIV is one of the so-called retro viruses that can live in the human body for at least 10 years without showing any symptoms. At least, this happens in more than half of people infected with this virus. This means that for 10 years a person does not know about his illness, and can infect people in any number. Since the identification of HIV as a separate disease, research has been underway to find a cure for it. Alas, it has not yet been found. The virus enters the bloodstream and destroys healthy immune cells.

The body does not have the ability to fight this virus. For each HIV carrier, the period when almost all cells responsible for immunity are destroyed lasts a different time. It depends on many factors. For example, if a person did not have any serious illnesses before becoming infected, then we can assume that his immune system is in excellent condition. This means that HIV will not manifest itself soon. And, conversely, if a person is sick with chronic diseases or is at risk, then his immunity is already weakened, which means that the symptoms of the virus will appear much faster.

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Symptoms of HIV

Experts distinguish two phases of HIV infection, which, however, are not observed in all patients. The first phase - acute febrile - occurs in only 70% of infected people. Its symptoms are similar to ordinary ARVI, so HIV is often not diagnosed immediately after infection. After about a month, a low temperature is observed, about 37-37.5ºC, and pain in the throat, as with an upper respiratory tract infection. Frequent headaches may occur, and pain in the muscles and joints may also be present. Against the background of general malaise and poor sleep, irritability, drowsiness, and lack of desire to eat appear, and, as a result, the patient loses weight before our eyes.

Stomach problems begin, and there may be vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. The only alarming symptom may be hyperplasia of the lymph nodes not only in the neck, as with a sore throat, but also in the groin area and in the armpits. In the more serious acute phase, skin rashes or small wounds - ulcers - may occur on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and genitals. Usually, in almost 9 out of 10 patients, this phase passes quickly enough, all symptoms disappear, and the person feels much better.

Then, for several years, the carrier of the virus lives a normal life. But in every tenth patient the disease has a rapid course of HIV infection, followed by a lightning-fast transition to AIDS. The second phase of HIV is called asymptomatic, and, judging by the name, practically does not cause any concern to the patient. It can last from several days to several years. But sooner or later, each of these phases turns into AIDS.

With AIDS, absolutely all systems of the patient’s body cease to function, while all microorganisms living in the human body suddenly begin to act harmfully. Gradually, symptoms of various diseases appear on the body, both inside and outside, such as stomatitis, lichen of various types, diseases of the ear, nose and throat, inflammatory lesions of the gums and teeth, and various allergic reactions that were not observed before.

Every day the patient feels worse and worse, while the number of diseases increases. It seems that there is not a single living place on the patient’s body. Against the background of all these inflammatory processes, the patient loses appetite, sleep, and rapidly loses weight in a short period of time.

Organic lesions of the central nervous system lead patients to nervous exhaustion and severe nervous breakdown, when the patient tries to cut off all ties with family and friends, does not express a desire to communicate with anyone, and leads a reclusive lifestyle.

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Risk group

There are certain categories of people who are at risk for contracting HIV. This does not mean that a person who is not at risk cannot be infected, but his risk percentage is several orders of magnitude lower. A person may develop symptoms of HIV if they fall into the following category:

• a drug addict who injects with syringes;
• persons of non-traditional sexual orientation, mostly men;
• a woman of the most ancient profession, working on the street;
• people who prefer unconventional types of sex, for example anal;
• people who are promiscuous and do not use protection;
• category of citizens who are already sick with sexually transmitted diseases;
• the category of citizens who are donors and those who are transfused with blood or its components;
• children still in the womb of an HIV-infected mother;
• doctors and nurses working with HIV patients and at blood transfusion sites.

In recent years, the disease has progressed so much that HIV is transmitted in everyday life in several ways, for example, through a razor, if several family members use it. Or when cut with a household knife or other sharp object, if the blood of a virus carrier gets on the resulting cut of a person who does not have HIV. This disease is no longer transmitted in everyday life; it cannot be contracted through saliva, household appliances or towels.

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How is HIV transmitted?

Since the virus cannot be treated so far, and no cure for AIDS has been found, the most effective remedy for this serious disease is prevention. How do people become infected with HIV? Let's look at examples:

1. The first, and most common, method is sexual intercourse. Moreover, the variety of methods of sexual transmission is simply amazing. Sex between homosexuals, uncontrolled relationships of prostitutes, married couples or singles who practice anal sex, which can cause microcracks and lesions of the anal canal, which is a trigger for HIV infection. Young people who are promiscuous when neither they nor their partners are concerned about protecting themselves not only from HIV, but also from STDs. You should know that women who have sex with a partner infected with HIV are 3 times more likely to become infected than men in a similar situation. Therefore, it is extremely important for women to take care of the availability of condoms, especially if there are several sexual partners. The condition of the woman’s external and internal genital organs may also play a role here. If a woman has cervical erosion or microcracks in the vagina, then the risk of HIV infection increases several times.
2. HIV is transmitted through blood. How does HIV infection occur if donated blood is carefully checked using the latest machines, and the risk is reduced to a minimum? This virus can be infected not only by transfusion of blood or its products, but also by donating it, or by cutting with a sharp object, if an HIV-infected person has previously been cut with it. This is dangerous because you can become infected in places where you don’t even expect it. For example, in a dental clinic during dental treatment, in manicure and pedicure salons, when they use instruments that have not been treated after an HIV-infected client.

There are many myths surrounding HIV in society and on the Internet. No other disease can compare with HIV infection in the number of fictions and absurdities told about it. There are especially many fantasies about HIV infection. Here are HIV terrorists with syringes at the ready in public transport, and a boy who became infected by eating a blood-stained banana, and crowds of HIV-infected people who received HIV through a blood transfusion... Let's finally figure out what is true in these stories and what is fiction .

Myth: HIV is highly contagious

Reality: The risk of HIV infection is low. HIV infection is 100 times less contagious than hepatitis B and 3000 times less contagious than the flu. HIV is a very unstable virus; it can only exist in a liquid medium and when it dries out it dies almost instantly. In addition, for infection, this virus must enter the bloodstream, and in large quantities. As for infection through heterosexual sex, the average probability of becoming infected with HIV is 1:200 sexual acts. Some couples live together for years without protection and do not become infected (although we do not advise you to repeat this experience!).

Myth: HIV infection can be contracted through everyday contact.

Reality: HIV is not transmitted in everyday life. It is NOT transmitted through towels, clothing, bed linen, dishes, when sharing food, through the toilet seat and bathtub, in the pool or in the sauna. It is not transmitted through skin-to-skin contact - through handshakes, hugs, touching, or through coughing and sneezing. In ordinary life, HIV-positive people are absolutely safe.

Myth: You can get HIV from kissing, especially if there are abrasions or scratches in the mouth.

Reality: When kissing, there is no risk of infection, regardless of the presence of damage to the mucous membrane of the tongue and oral cavity, as well as erupting wisdom teeth, stomatitis, periodontal disease and other misfortunes. The amount of HIV in saliva is very small. For the dose of virus in saliva to become sufficient for infection, three liters of saliva are needed - we have never heard of such records of salivation during a kiss!

Myth: HIV is transmitted through joint masturbation

Reality: Hand contact with the genitals, even in the presence of secretions, does not transmit HIV. Yes, yes, it is not transmitted, even if there are scratches and cuts on the hands!

Myth: HIV is transmitted through saliva, sweat or tears.

Reality: Saliva, sweat and tears are not dangerous in terms of HIV transmission. The concentration of virus in these fluids is too low for infection to occur. Wounds and scratches do not matter.

Myth: Mosquitoes transmit HIV through bites.

Reality: It is impossible to become infected with HIV through the bite of a mosquito or other blood-sucking insect. HIV does not live in the mosquito's body, and mosquitoes do not inject the blood they have sucked in when they bite again.

Myth: HIV-positive children can transmit the virus through bites or active play through abrasions and scratches.

Reality: When healthy and HIV-infected children stay together, there is no risk of infection. There is too little virus in saliva to be transmitted through a bite. HIV is also not transmitted through abrasions or scratches, since for infection large quantities of its particles must enter the bloodstream, which does not occur through superficial damage to the skin. In the entire history of the HIV epidemic, there has not been a single case of children being infected in this way.

Myth: Blood transfusion is the most common way to get HIV.

Reality: This could have happened many years ago, when even doctors were poorly aware of HIV and its dangers. Currently, cases of HIV infection in medical institutions are absent or isolated.

Myth: Open wounds or contact with blood can cause HIV infection.

Reality: HIV is not transmitted through small wounds, abrasions and scratches. Infection is possible only if an uninfected person has come into contact with a large, fresh bleeding wound of an HIV-infected person with his wound or mucous membrane. Theoretically, this could happen, for example, in a traffic accident. However, no cases of transmission of the virus through contact with blood in domestic situations have been reported.

Myth: HIV can be contracted in tattoo parlors, hairdressers, beauty salons.

Reality: In principle, you can get infected in a tattoo parlor, but modern artists, knowing about HIV and hepatitis, always use disposable instruments. Making tattoos at home using homegrown methods is strictly not recommended, because in this case the risk of infection is really present. There were no cases of HIV infection in beauty salons or among stylists.

The conclusion from the above is the following: do not try to find exotic ways to become infected with HIV! If you are not a drug addict, then You actually only have a chance of contracting HIV through sex with an HIV-infected partner. Be careful, avoid promiscuous sex, use condoms, and you'll be fine!

(c) Alexandra Imasheva

Despite the fact that HIV infection has been spreading throughout the globe for more than 30 years and the flow of information about it is quite extensive, not everyone knows how HIV infection is transmitted and how HIV infection occurs.

More than 40 million people on Earth are affected by HIV, and the rate of infection is not decreasing at all. Therefore, it is impossible to ignore and remain indifferent to this problem. In the current situation, everyone should clearly know how one can become infected with HIV in order to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Features of HIV

According to scientists, the carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were first monkeys, from which people on the African continent were then infected.

Due to population migration on a large scale, the virus has spread throughout the world.

HIV is a retrovirus that enters the human body and does not manifest itself in any way; the infected person does not even suspect it. Once the virus enters the body, it can behave differently. In 70% of infected people (about a month later), an acute phase of HIV infection develops, which manifests itself with symptoms reminiscent of mononucleosis or a common acute respiratory infection, and therefore is not diagnosed.

It would be possible to diagnose the disease using PCR, but this rather expensive test would need to be prescribed to every patient with acute respiratory infections. The patient recovers fairly quickly and feels absolutely normal, unaware of his infection. This phase is called asymptomatic.

Antibodies to the virus do not begin to be produced immediately after the infection enters the body. Sometimes it takes 3, and sometimes 6 months until specific antibodies confirming the disease begin to be detected in the blood. The maximum duration of this period, when the virus is already in the body, but there are no antibodies yet, is 12 months. This is called the seroconversion period or seronegative window.

This period of imaginary well-being can last 10 or more years. But an infected person can infect others through various routes of HIV transmission.

To do this, it is only necessary to achieve a certain concentration of the virus in the infected person’s body. And since the virus multiplies at tremendous speed, soon all the biological fluids of the infected person contain HIV, only in different concentrations.

Fortunately, the virus is not resistant outside the human body. It dies when heated to 57 0 C in half an hour, and when boiled in the first minute. Alcohol, acetone, and conventional disinfectants also have a destructive effect. On the surface of intact skin, the virus is destroyed by enzymes and other bacteria.

The difficulty of fighting HIV is that it is very mutant, even in the same organism it has different structural variants. Therefore, a vaccine against HIV has not yet been created. Once in the body, HIV attacks immune cells, making a person defenseless against any type of infection.

Ways of spreading the disease

How HIV infection occurs is a concern for many people who live or work near infected people. Experts have proven that the concentration of the virus sufficient to infect another person is present in the blood, semen and vaginal secretions, and in breast milk. The modes of transmission of HIV are associated with these biological substances.

There are 3 ways of transmitting HIV:

1. The most common way of contracting HIV is sexual path. Infection occurs through unprotected sexual contact. Moreover, the variety of ways of transmitting HIV infection is striking - through homosexual contact, vaginal, oral, anal sex.

Numerous relationships with prostitutes, homosexual relationships are the most dangerous. During anal sex, microtraumatic injuries occur in the rectum, which increase the risk of infection. Women who have sexual contact with an HIV-infected partner are more vulnerable: they become infected 3 times more. more often than a man from an infected partner.

The presence of cervical erosion and inflammation in the genitals increase the possibility of infection. There are about 30 known sexually transmitted diseases or STDs. Many of them involve an inflammatory process, so STDs significantly increase the likelihood of HIV transmission. The possibility of infection increases for both partners during sex during menstruation.

With oral sexual contact, the likelihood of infection is somewhat less, but it does exist. Many people are interested in: is it possible to transmit HIV through one sexual contact? Unfortunately, the infection can be transmitted in this case too. That is why one of the indications for emergency drug prevention of infection is the rape of a woman.

1. HIV is also easily transmitted through blood. This route is called parenteral. With this method of infection, transmission of the virus is possible through blood transfusion, organ or tissue transplantation, or manipulation of non-sterile instruments (including syringes).

For infection, it is enough for one ten-thousandth of a milliliter of blood to enter another body - such an amount is invisible to the human eye. If the slightest particle of blood from an infected person enters the body of a healthy person, then the probability of infection is almost 100%.

Such situations can arise when getting a tattoo, ear piercing, or piercing not in a specialized salon, but by random people. Infection can also occur when performing a manicure/pedicure with untreated instruments. Washing with water is not enough to remove residual blood. Instruments must undergo complete processing (disinfection and sterilization).

Infection through donated blood is unlikely, since the collected blood is rechecked not only after collection, but also donors are additionally examined after 6 months in order to exclude the period of seroconversion at the time of blood donation. The collected blood remains in the blood bank of the transfusion stations all this time and is issued only after rechecking.

In dental offices and clinics, in surgical services, in addition to disinfection, instruments are sterilized in dry-heat ovens or autoclaves. Therefore, the risk of infection by them in medical institutions is minimized.

The most relevant way of contracting HIV through blood is for drug users by injection. Many of them try to reassure themselves about the issue of HIV infection by using disposable syringes. However, when purchasing a dose from a drug distributor, they cannot be sure that the disposable syringe they bring does not contain a previously infected substance.

Sometimes drug users use a shared syringe, changing only the needles, although with intravenous injections, blood necessarily enters the syringe and infects it.

In everyday life, infection can occur when using someone else's or a shared razor. Family members of an infected person can also become infected from him when providing assistance without rubber gloves in the event of an injury or cut.

1. Vertical HIV infection is the transmission of the virus from an infected mother to her child. How is HIV transmitted in this case? There can be different ways for a child to become infected with HIV:

• firstly, the virus is able to overcome the placental barrier and then infection of the fetus occurs in utero;
• secondly, infection can occur directly during childbirth;
• thirdly, the mother can infect the child through breast milk.

Infection of the baby can be prevented with the help of free preventive treatment with antiviral drugs, if the woman promptly contacted the antenatal clinic during pregnancy and underwent all the necessary tests.

To reduce the risk of infection of the child, in some cases, delivery is performed by caesarean section. The baby also receives free antiviral drugs for 28 days.

After birth, it is recommended to feed the baby with formula milk. There are, however, cases when tests during pregnancy were negative, since there was a period of seronegative window (seroconversion). In this case, the child will receive the virus through milk during breastfeeding.

When infection does not occur

Despite the fact that the virus is present in any body fluid, its concentration in them is different. Thus, tears, sweat, saliva, feces and urine do not play an epidemiological role, since they do not lead to infection of another person. It would take liters of tears or sweat, for example, so that if they come into contact with the damaged skin of a healthy person, they could transmit the virus. True, infection is possible through kissing if blood gets into the saliva due to bleeding gums.

Infection does not threaten in the following cases:

1. Fortunately, HIV is not an airborne virus. Staying in the same room with an infected person is not dangerous.
2. It is not dangerous to use the same toilet, bathtub, shared utensils or towels.
3. You can't get infected in the pool.
4. You can safely use one phone and not be afraid of shaking hands with an infected person.
5. HIV is not transmitted by animals or insect bites.
6. Water and food routes of infection are also excluded.

Risk group

Considering the possible ways of spreading the disease, doctors identify a risk group, which includes:

• injection drug users;
• persons with non-traditional sexual orientation (homosexuals);
• persons engaged in prostitution;
• persons with promiscuous sex, practicing unprotected sex (without a condom);
• patients with sexually transmitted diseases;
• blood product recipients;
• children born from an HIV-positive mother;
• health workers providing care to patients with HIV.

HIV infection is a special disease that may not have clinical manifestations for a number of years, but sooner or later leads to a state of immunodeficiency, that is, to AIDS. At this stage, it is quite difficult to fight the disease; a person can die from any common infection. Therefore, everyone should clearly know how HIV is transmitted and protect themselves as much as possible.

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.

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 the formation of tumors. 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 exponentially, no drugs have been found to completely defeat 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 understand how you can become infected with HIV 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 products;
• 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 only one drop will be enough for infection, speaking about saliva - about four liters will be needed.

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, breast milk and vaginal secretions, infection cannot be transmitted 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. You should contact medical care centers if the following sensations and abnormalities are detected after unprotected sexual intercourse:

• 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 quantity 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.

HIV and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome caused by this virus are a dangerous incurable disease. Despite the fact that modern medicine makes it possible to successfully control its development in the human body, the pathology is still completely resistant to therapy and can cause serious, life-threatening complications.

Currently, information about the causes, methods of diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS is publicly available. But according to the results of anonymous surveys, most of the sexually active population of the world has little idea of ​​how HIV is transmitted. This leads either to harmful and sometimes fatal carelessness or, conversely, to an almost paranoid fear of infection.

Naturally, both tactics of behavior are wrong. To prevent HIV infection, it is enough to clearly understand the mechanism of the virus entering the human body, the principles of its replication and further development.

The pathogenic microorganism itself practically does not survive outside biological fluids and tissues, is quite sensitive to environmental pH values, dies when heated to a temperature of 60ºC and above, but remains viable for a long time when frozen.

The immunodeficiency virus remains dangerous in the following cases:

• inside needles and syringes, but not on their surface, but in the remains of the infected person’s blood - up to 7 days;
• dried blood (even at room temperature) - up to a week;
• fresh and frozen blood (for example, prepared for transfusion) - throughout the entire storage period;
• in biological fluids (sperm, breast milk, vaginal secretions) - for a relatively short time;
• at a pH level in the range of 7-8, for HIV it dies when it enters the digestive tract; the virus is not detected in saliva, feces, or sweat.

The main routes of infection are:

• unprotected sexual contact with an HIV-infected partner, especially if the sick person has a high viral load and severe symptoms of the disease, the risk of HIV transmission increases if the couple prefers anal or homosexual intercourse;
• sharing syringes with a sick person, which is usually found among drug addicts;
• during pregnancy and childbirth from an infected mother to the fetus or newborn child.

Oral sex does not eliminate the risk of infection. Situations often arise when the partner has open wounds and other sources of bleeding in her mouth (periodontal disease, etc.). Although doctors say this is unlikely, it is prudent to use a condom for oral sex as well.

All other routes of infection are so unlikely that they are practically not described in the medical literature. In connection with the development of diagnostic and control systems for biological materials, it is almost impossible to become infected through blood transfusion (HIV-infected people are “cut off” at the stage of blood donation) or transplantation.

Contrary to popular belief, the risk of HIV transmission through skin scratches and bites is negligible, provided, of course, that both the sick and healthy person do not hug while bleeding. In 2008, a case was described of a possible infection of a child from an infected mother through chewed food. However, this hypothesis has not received reliable confirmation.

The “household” route of HIV transmission is minimal, even if you share utensils with the patient, including drinking from the same glass. Therefore, for a person who is picky about sexual relations, always uses condoms and does not lead an antisocial lifestyle, the likelihood of becoming infected with HIV is minimal.

• during anal sex with an HIV-positive partner - 0.1 - 7.5%;
• unprotected vaginal contact with unknown HIV status - 0.03 - 5.6%;
• unprotected anal contact with unknown HIV status - 0.06 - 0.6 (provided there are no cracks in the rectum and perianal area);
• unprotected with intact oral mucosa - about 0.03%.

The so-called “vertical” transmission of HIV from an infected mother to the fetus is possible in 40% of infants. This figure decreases significantly if a woman takes medications prescribed by a doctor. With direct blood-to-blood contact, the risk of infection is almost 100%.

How HIV is transmitted: myths and reality

A huge number of misconceptions about the routes of HIV infection often lead to complete social isolation of patients. This creates severe psychological discomfort and often causes suicide and refusal of treatment. But few people know that with appropriate therapy, infection from an HIV-infected person is unlikely.

Numerous examples of married couples, when only the husband or wife is sick, demonstrate that you can quite safely arrange your life with an HIV-positive partner and have a child.

So, how is HIV transmitted?

According to many people, the least likely ways to become infected with the immunodeficiency virus are:

• Kisses. The acid-base reaction of human saliva is unfavorable for the virion, so even contact with “infected” saliva on a wound will not cause infection. The only option for transmitting HIV through kissing seems unlikely - in the presence of open bleeding wounds on the lips and in the mouth of both partners. Moreover, infection is impossible when kissing on the cheek, etc.
• Through a condom. Experts claim that this method of contraception is the most reliable way to protect against HIV. However, recent studies have shown that virions can penetrate the pores of latex, especially during intense friction (for example, anal contact without “lubrication”). But even taking into account the possible risk (and it does not exceed hundredths of a percent), a condom is in any case better than unprotected sexual intercourse. But even if you follow the rules for preventing infection, it is better to avoid sex with an HIV-infected person who is not receiving appropriate therapy.
• “Household” transmission of HIV. The virus can survive for a long time in the blood, and to a lesser extent in biological fluids (sperm, vaginal secretions). HIV is absent in urine and other feces, saliva, etc. Therefore, in everyday life it is necessary to avoid contact only with the blood of a sick person, which is possible when using a razor, epilator, toothbrush, etc. Dishes, bedding and other similar household items are completely safe.
• Insect bites. Previous studies have been conducted to examine the likelihood of HIV being transmitted from one person to another by mosquitoes and other insects. All scientists came to the conclusion that this is impossible. Moreover, this applies to both our country and Asian and African regions.
• When visiting a dentist, laboratory, or performing medical procedures. The risk of transmitting the virus from a needle containing infected biological material is about 0.3%. Moreover, the likelihood increases if the skin is damaged by the needle used to draw blood. When visiting a dental office or medical facility that meets all requirements and standards, it is absolutely safe. The same applies to tattoo parlors and cosmetologists. Standard sterilization methods quickly and effectively destroy virions.
• When performing manicure and pedicure. When visiting a specialist of this profile, you should be more wary of viral hepatitis. When using instruments that do not damage the surface of the skin, HIV infection is impossible. However, the risk of infection remains if there are traces of blood from a sick person on the surface of the cutters or blades. Therefore, when visiting a specialist, you need to pay attention to compliance with disinfection conditions. A number of experts advise purchasing your own manicure tools.

Transmission of the virus into the body through blood and its preparations is currently unlikely. Since 1985, all donated blood has been tested for HIV-1, and since 1989 - for HIV-2. The resulting material is checked by PCR. In addition, people with a behavioral risk category (those suffering from drug addiction or engaging in casual sexual contacts), and emigrants from countries with poor HIV incidence statistics are excluded from the list of voluntary donors.

How is HIV infection transmitted: infection of a child during pregnancy and after it, methods of prevention

According to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the number of pregnant women infected with HIV from 1995 to 2007 increased 600 times. And if previously the risk of infection of a child was about 40%, now, thanks to antiretroviral therapy and drug prophylaxis in a newborn, this figure has dropped to 3-5%.

HIV transmission from an infected mother can occur in the following ways:

• antenatally(through the placenta, amniotic membranes, amniotic fluid, during certain therapeutic and diagnostic procedures);
• intrapartum(with blood as the baby passes through the birth canal), therefore, pregnant women with HIV are advised to have a cesarean section performed using a special technique;
• postnatally (after birth during lactation).

Intrauterine infection can occur at any stage of pregnancy. Confirmation of a positive diagnosis of HIV in the fetus (starting from the 8th week of gestation) is the detection of specific antigens in the amniotic fluid and placental tissue. However, in the vast majority of sick women, infection of the child occurs towards the end of the last trimester.

The following factors contribute to the transmission of the virus:

• complications of pregnancy (infections, hypoxia, genetic pathologies, etc.);
• dysfunction of the placenta;
• complications during childbirth;
• pregnant women drinking alcohol, drugs, smoking;
• malnutrition;
• promiscuity.

The decision to prescribe treatment depends on the viral load and the manifestation of symptoms of the disease. Before taking appropriate medications, the state of the woman’s immune system must be assessed. The dosage is selected in such a way as to slow down the development of the virus as much as possible and at the same time weaken the teratogenic effect.

To avoid infection, you must follow these rules:

• use a condom during sexual intercourse, ideally limit the number of sexual partners as much as possible, avoid casual one-time relationships;
• monitor the disinfection of instruments when visiting hospitals, dental, beauty salons, etc.;
• use only your own personal hygiene items (razors, toothbrushes, etc.);
• Use a new sterile syringe each time you administer medications, and when performing medical procedures, ensure that the syringe is opened in the presence of the patient.

Understanding how HIV infection is transmitted is the first step to reliable infection prevention. Doctors emphasize that the incidence of HIV/AIDS is constantly growing, so precautions will never be superfluous. Do not neglect regular examinations and tests.