- 1. Sexual intercourse without a condom
- 2. Sharing needles or syringes
- 3. Mother-to-child transmission
- 4. Organ transplantation or blood donation
- How you can't get HIV
- Where to get tested for HIV
AIDS is the active form of the disease caused by the HIV virus, when the immune system is already severely compromised. After HIV infection, AIDS can go on for several years, especially if the right treatment to control the development of the virus in the body has not been done.
The best way to avoid AIDS is to avoid being infected by the HIV virus. To be contaminated with this virus it is necessary that it comes in direct contact with the organism, through bodily fluids, such as semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, blood or pre-ejaculatory fluids, and this is possible during oral sex wounds on the skin such as cuts or bruises on your mouth or gums or infections in your throat or mouth that are inflamed. There is no evidence of the presence of the HIV virus in saliva, sweat or tears.
Some of the ways that carry an increased risk of getting HIV are:
1. Sexual intercourse without a condom
The risk of getting HIV through unprotected sex is quite high, especially in cases of anal or vaginal sex. This is because in these places there are very fragile mucous membranes that can suffer small wounds that cannot be felt, but that can come into direct contact with the sexual fluids, which carry HIV.
However, and although it is more rare, HIV can also be transmitted through oral sex, especially if there is a sore in the mouth, such as a cold sore, for example.
In addition, HIV does not just pass through semen, it can be present in lubricating fluids. Thus, the condom must be kept in any form of sexual intercourse and from the beginning
2. Sharing needles or syringes
This is one of the forms of contagion with the greatest risk, since the needles and syringes enter the body of both people, contacting directly with the blood. Since the blood transmits HIV, if the first person who used the needle or syringe is infected, it can easily pass the virus on to the next person. In addition, sharing needles can also cause many other diseases and even serious infections.
Therefore, people who need to use needles or syringes frequently, such as diabetics, should always use a new needle that has not been used before.
3. Mother-to-child transmission
A pregnant woman with HIV can transmit the virus to her child, especially when she does not treat the disease with the medications indicated according to protocols, indicated by the doctor, to reduce the viral load. The virus can pass during pregnancy through the placenta, during delivery due to the newborn's contact with the mother's blood and or later during breastfeeding. Thus, HIV + pregnant women must correctly take the treatment when recommended, to reduce viral load and decrease the chances of passing the virus to the fetus or newborn, in addition to cesarean delivery to reduce the chances of blood contact. during delivery as well as avoiding breastfeeding so as not to contract the virus through breast milk.
Learn more about how mother-to-child transmission happens and how to avoid it.
4. Organ transplantation or blood donation
Although it is extremely rare, due to the increased safety and evaluation of samples in specialized laboratories, the HIV virus can also be transmitted to people who receive organs or blood from another person infected with HIV.
This risk is greater in less developed countries and with less standards for biosafety and infection control.
See the rules for organ donation and who can donate blood safely.
How you can't get HIV
Although there are several situations that can pass the HIV virus, due to contact with body fluids, there are others that do not pass the virus, such as:
- Being close to an AIDS virus carrier, greeting him with a hug or kiss; Intimate relationship and condom masturbation; Use of the same dishes, cutlery and / or glasses; Harmless secretions such as sweat, saliva or tears; Use of the same personal hygiene material such as soap, towels or sheets.
HIV is also not transmitted through insect bites, air or water in the pool or the sea.
If you suspect you have been infected, see what the symptoms of AIDS are:
See also the first signs that may indicate an HIV infection.
Where to get tested for HIV
HIV testing can be done free of charge at any AIDS Testing and Counseling Center or health centers, located in different areas of the country, anonymously.
To find out where to take the AIDS test and get more information about the disease and the results of the test, you can call Toll-Health: 136, which works 24 hours a day and Toll-Aids: 0800 16 25, free of charge. 50. In some places, the test can also be done outside the health areas, but it is recommended that it be performed in places that offer safety in the results. See how home HIV testing works.
