HIV infection is a plague not only of the XX, but also of the XXI century. Unfortunately, every year the number of people who have acquired HIV is growing steadily. Doctors around the world are sounding the alarm, calling on humanity to common sense - the infection is spreading at a cosmic speed, and now there are very few areas left in which at least one sick person was not. However, despite the magnitude of the disaster, every attempt and observance of precautions increases the chances of victory in this struggle for the life and health of the population of the entire globe.
To know how to effectively fight the disease and prevent infection, it is important first of all to learn what HIV is. The routes of transmission of this infection, its differences from AIDS, symptoms and basic precautions are the topic of our conversation today. So...
What is HIV?
The abbreviation HIV stands for simply: Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Already from the name it becomes clear that pathogenic bacteria attack the immune system. The target is leukocytes, which help to eliminate various harmful microorganisms and fungi from the body. As soon as the number of white blood cells decreases, a person becomes extremely susceptible to various kinds of infectious diseases.
People with HIV are doomed to die, since the immunodeficiency virus acts throughout life, and a person can die even from the most primitive SARS. However, at the same time, it is possible to survive with HIV infection for two or three years or a dozen years.
Are HIV and AIDS the same thing?
Do not confuse HIV with AIDS. AIDS is the very last stage of the disease we are considering. The acronym stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, and the statement that you can get infected with this disease is fundamentally wrong. It is HIV that causes AIDS, so the symptoms of the syndrome can be eliminated, but the virus itself can be cured - alas. In this regard, AIDS is considered fatal, as it occurs at the very end of the disease and invariably leads to a tragic end.
Source or carrier of HIV infection
HIV-infected people are called carriers of this virus, regardless of the stage of the disease, be it the incubation or terminal period. Infection from the source of the disease is possible at any stage of the disease, however, the greatest likelihood is contact with the carrier at the end of incubation and at a later date. Only a person can be HIV-infected.
Now that we have figured out what HIV is and who can become a carrier of the virus, we will consider the possible ways of contracting this infection.
Routes of HIV transmission
There are only three ways HIV can be transmitted:
- From mother to newborn.
- Sexually.
- Through the blood.
Theoretically, there is another way of infection - transplantation and transplantation of various organs and tissues from one person to another, as well as artificial insemination of women. However, due to careful testing and numerous checks of biological material, the possibility of infection with the virus is thus reduced to absolute zero.
Note that the paths mentioned above are listed from least common to most relevant. Let's consider each of them separately.
HIV transmission from mother to newborn
Infection with HIV can occur both during gestation and during childbirth, and subsequently - during breastfeeding. This method of infection at the moment is the least possible of the three above, since modern medicine offers various preventive measures based on the use of chemotherapy drugs. They reduce the risk of having HIV-infected children by several percent. As for breastfeeding, only artificial formulas are used here.
It is possible to confirm HIV infection in a child only after he reaches 1.5 years. However, it is possible to get some information earlier, during the first month of the baby's life. For this, blood is taken from the child for analysis, but the result will be reliable by only 90%.
In this regard, every pregnant woman should undergo an HIV test without fail in order to avoid aggravating the situation and transmitting the infection to the fetus through inaction or, conversely, undesirable effects on the body of certain drugs, the use of which is unacceptable in the above conditions, if the result is positive.
Sexual transmission of HIV
Unprotected sex is a real scourge among homosexuals, drug addicts, prostitutes, as well as those who practice casual sex. The risk of contracting an infection among representatives of this contingent is off scale. Moreover, HIV in women is not less common than in men. According to statistics, more than 85% of those surveyed were infected by sex. If, before contact with the carrier, a person has already had any inflammatory diseases, then the risk of infection increases several times.
Transmission of HIV through blood
Infection with HIV through blood is the most common way of getting sick. You can "earn" a dangerous virus through:
Sharing disposable syringes and needles;
Non-sterile surgical instruments;
Violation of hygienic rules for the operation of cosmetic and dental equipment;
Blood and plasma transfusion without prior testing.
How You Can't Get HIV
For complete literacy in this matter, you should know how you can not get HIV. We described the ways of transmission of the virus above, now let us remember the factors that in no way should affect the position of an infected person in society:
Bodily contact, including kissing, provided that there are no open scratches, wounds, abrasions on the skin;
Food and drinkable liquids;
Household items;
Public toilets, showers, swimming pools, seats and handrails in transportation;
Cough, sneezing, sweat, tears, breathing;
Animals and insects, including blood-sucking ones.
Despite this, there are many myths regarding the fact that you can catch a virus at any time. Even if you sleep with an infected person in the same bed and eat from the same plate, you can never get infected with HIV - the transmission routes work only in three cases already known to us.
Conditions for HIV infection
Despite the ease with which a known virus can be picked up, certain conditions must be met during transmission:
The infection must enter the endangered organism with special biological secretions that have an increased concentration of bacteria;
For the growth of the focus, penetration into the body itself is necessary. If the covers are intact, this is simply not possible.
The virus is present in all fluids that the human body is capable of producing. But at the same time, his concentration in some secrets is much greater than in others. For example, saliva, sweat, tears. urine, if ingested, cannot contribute to HIV infection. The routes of transmission are not important in this case, only if the surface of the skin or mucous membranes is not damaged. In other cases, it will take whole liters of such fluids to infect a healthy body.
But secretions such as semen, pre-ejaculate, vaginal secretions, as well as breast milk and blood are already potentially dangerous. After any of the mentioned fluids gets into the fertile environment, the level of susceptibility of the affected organism comes into effect. The virus will manifest itself in any case, but how early it depends on genes, a person's susceptibility to various kinds of diseases, the presence of aggravating conditions and other factors.
Symptoms of HIV
Now let's talk about how the virus can manifest itself externally. Despite the fact that it is impossible to determine HIV in men or women in the initial stages in most cases, there is still some symptomatology associated with this disease.
Each organism is individual, therefore, it is quite problematic to determine the characteristic signs. The latest HIV statistics indicate that the first symptoms can be detected both two weeks after infection and two months later. In individual cases, signs can disappear indefinitely, in order to subsequently resume with renewed vigor.
If you experience symptoms such as:
Swollen lymph nodes;
Regular occurrence of herpes;
Increased body temperature;
Stomatitis;
Dermatitis;
Dramatic weight loss;
Frequent respiratory diseases;
Feverish manifestations;
Indigestion;
Candidiasis and vaginal inflammation in women,
But you shouldn't blame everything on various viral and colds. Carefully analyze your recent behavior and the presence of possible factors that could contribute to the infection of the virus, and go to the doctor, and then donate blood for HIV.
At the same time, it is worth remembering that the virus at the initial stages is very secretive. Even laboratory tests are unable to recognize a lurking infection. And only a few years later, the disease can manifest itself so clearly that doctors no longer have doubts about the infection of a person.
How many are living with HIV?
This is the most pressing question for those who have tested positive for HIV. If we compare the possibilities of modern medicine with what was available 10-15 years ago, it is easy to see that infected citizens began to live a little longer. However, the main criterion for this was not only the improvement of medicines and technologies, but also the recognition and acceptance by patients of some undeniable requirements regarding a new way of life, which they now have to comply with.
The results of studying the life expectancy of HIV-infected people cannot be summed up under any possible logical regularity. Some carriers of the virus can live to a ripe old age, while others do not last even 5 years. If we average all the indicators, it turns out that HIV-infected people live for about 10-12 years, but all the boundaries are so blurred and relative that it makes no sense to clearly state the duration.
The only thing that can help prolong the patient's life is the strict observance of the following rules:
Eliminate (or at least significantly limit) the amount of consumed nicotine, alcohol and drugs;
Exercise regularly, ideally - go in for sports;
Take vitamin complexes and means to strengthen the immune system;
Go for a healthy diet;
Visit your healthcare professional regularly.
Although it is still too early to talk about a complete victory over the virus, the fact that scientists are able to control it today speaks for itself.
Ways to protect yourself from HIV infection and precautions
Knowledge is the most important weapon against HIV. We already know how the infection is transmitted, so now it only remains to supplement this awareness. Preventive measures to prevent infection with the virus are as follows:
Using condoms during intercourse. Do not allow sperm, blood, and vaginal fluid of your partner to enter the body;
Choose your sex partners carefully. The more your chosen one or chosen one has third-party and unprotected sexual relationships, the higher the likelihood of getting an infection;
Be faithful to your partner yourself;
Avoid group sex;
Do not take other people's personal hygiene items (razors, toothbrushes);
Be extremely careful and attentive in unfamiliar public places;
Watch what your kids are playing with. It is not uncommon for used syringes to be found on sites and in sandboxes;
Only use sterilized surgical instruments and syringes no more than once. Demand the same from the tattooists and beauticians you have requested;
If you are a pregnant woman with suspected immunodeficiency virus, do not be lazy to donate blood for HIV. If you get a positive result, seek help from a specialist. He will prescribe the necessary medications to minimize the risk of having an unhealthy baby.
The main danger of HIV infection is that for a very long time the virus does not manifest itself in any way. During these periods, the carrier of the disease can infect other people without suspecting anything about his condition. That is why it is important to know about the existence of such a disease as HIV, the ways of its spread and the precautions that must be taken in order to fully protect yourself and your loved ones from harm.
People in their attitude to HIV infection can be divided into two groups: those who do not consider HIV a problem, continuing their usual way of life, and those who are too worried about their safety and are influenced by the flow of information pouring from the media and other sources. Both one group and the second are not doing quite right, because the infection is already well studied today, and experts can say with precision where the risk of infection is possible, and where it is not. It is necessary to understand how HIV infection is transmitted and not transmitted in order to protect yourself from possible problems and not to disturb your nerves once again.
In the body of a patient who is infected with HIV, the virus, the amount of which is sufficient to infect another person, is found in breast milk, vaginal secretions, semen and blood. It is through these pathways that HIV infection can enter the body of a healthy person. How is the virus transmitted through sweat, saliva, urine, feces? No way. There are only three ways of transmission: sexual, vertical and parenteral.
Properties of HIV
HIV belongs to the group of unstable viruses and can die under the direct influence of ether, acetone or alcohol. The virus on the surface of healthy skin is destroyed by bacteria and protective enzymes. Also, he is not inclined to endure high temperatures and dies, being about 30 minutes at 57 degrees Celsius or with one minute boiling.
The difficulty in creating a medicine lies in the fact that the virus is constantly changing.
Development of HIV infection
Primarily, the body reacts to the invasion of the virus by producing antibodies. The period from infection to the moment when the active production of antibodies begins can last from three weeks to three months. In some cases, antibodies appear only six months after infection. This period is called the "seroconversion window period".
The latent or asymptomatic period can last from several months to 15 years. The disease at this stage does not manifest itself in any way. The infectious process develops after an asymptomatic period. The first sign that the disease is progressing is enlarged lymph nodes. After the AIDS stage develops. The main symptoms of this period are: frequent or persistent headache, unmotivated diarrhea, loss of appetite, drowsiness, malaise, fatigue, weight loss. At a later stage, tumors and concomitant infections appear, which are extremely difficult to cure.
The disease is associated with loss of immunity and is life-threatening, so it is important to know how HIV is transmitted. Symptoms that may appear several years later are difficult to overcome and return to a normal lifestyle.
Diagnosis of HIV infection
It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the presence of a virus in the body only by external signs. Here you need to conduct a blood test, which will indicate the presence of a viral load and antibodies to HIV in it. For this, HIV tests, polymer chain reaction, and various express tests are carried out. With the help of this kind of research, it is possible to establish the presence of a virus in the blood and the degree of its development.
The test can be done at any healthcare organization. You must first undergo counseling. In case of a positive result, the infected should be provided, first of all, with emotional and psychological support and information on how to lead a further lifestyle. If the result is negative, then you need to have a conversation with the person about how HIV is transmitted in everyday life. This will protect him from the possibility of infection.
Modes of HIV transmission
This question should be of interest to everyone who is concerned about their health. HIV transmission is carried out in only three ways, which are divided into artificial and natural. The first is sexual. The second is vertical. Its essence lies in the fact that the virus is transmitted directly from mother to child at birth (or to the fetus). These are natural paths.
The third route, which is usually referred to as artificial, is parenteral. In the latter case, infection can occur through blood or tissue transfusion, intravenous injections with unsterilized devices. The main condition for infection is the presence of a virus in one person and its absence in another person.
Bloodborne infection
1/10000 milliliter of blood that is invisible to the human eye can infect a person. The incredibly small size of the virus allows 100 thousand particles to fit on a line only 1 cm long. This is also dangerous for HIV infection. How the virus is transmitted through blood can be imagined based on the fact that if even the smallest part of the infected person's blood gets into the blood of a healthy person, then the probability of infection is close to 100 percent. This can happen through donation, when unverified donated blood is transfused.
HIV infection is transmitted through properly untreated medical or cosmetic items if they have already been used by an infected person. Most often, such situations occur when piercing the ears, applying tattoos, during piercing in non-specialized salons. The remains of someone else's blood may be invisible and remain even after washing with water. Tools must be treated with special agents or alcohol.
After the HIV epidemic began to spread, the Ministry of Health strictly monitors the work of medical staff. This concerns donation, sterilization of the general work of staff. Therefore, it has already been thoroughly studied, therefore, in medical institutions, the risk of infection is minimized.
The risk of contracting the virus is high among intravenous drug users through blood-contaminated needles, syringes, filters, and other drug use devices.
Sexually transmitted infection
Talking about how HIV and AIDS are transmitted, one cannot fail to mention the most common method - sexual. The virus in the body of an infected person is found in large quantities in the vaginal secretions and semen. Any heterosexual unprotected sexual intercourse can lead to infection, and the genital mucosa acts as a focus. The fact is that microdamages are formed on the mucous membrane during intercourse, through which the virus can freely penetrate and from there into the circulatory system, other organs and tissues. The possibility of contracting the virus increases with a promiscuous sex life, with frequent changes of sexual partners, with not using condoms, and also when having sexual contact with a partner who regularly uses drugs.
Infections, which today number about 30. Many of them contribute to the development of various inflammatory diseases, which can also lead to HIV infection. Most infections accompany inflammation and damage to the mucous membrane of the genital organs, which also contributes to the easy penetration of HIV into the body. Dangerous for infection and sexual intercourse during menstruation. The concentration of the virus is much higher in semen than in vaginal discharge. Therefore, the likelihood of transmission of the virus from woman to man is lower than from man to woman.
Unprotected homosexual contact is even more dangerous. Due to the fact that the rectal mucosa does not have devices for intercourse, the risk of traumatic injury in this area exceeds the possibility of injury in the vagina. Infection through the anal passage is more real due to the fact that it is abundantly supplied with blood. By the way, you can get infected through oral sexual contact, although the probability here is not as high as in previous cases.
Thus, during any sexual contact, HIV infection can enter the body. How is the virus transmitted and what are the ways to avoid infection? It is enough just to streamline sex life and use protective equipment.
Infection of the child from the mother
Until a few years ago, this method of infection was very common, and an infected mother could not hope to have a healthy child. There were cases of exclusion, but rare. The development of modern medicine to date has achieved positive results in reducing the risk of infection of the child from the mother. from mother to fetus or baby are as follows: through breast milk while nursing, during childbirth, or even during pregnancy. It is extremely difficult to find out exactly at what moment the infection occurred, so sick pregnant women need to register as early as possible and monitor the health of their unborn baby.
The possibility of infection in everyday life
Although the risk of contracting HIV in the home is not high, it still exists. The most common is the transmission of infection through stabbing objects. The question of how HIV infection is transmitted in everyday life worries many, especially those who live under the same roof with an infected person.
The virus can be transmitted through (for example, through shaving razors). It is worth remembering that it is impossible to get infected through the shared use of the toilet, since the virus is not transmitted with urine and feces, when swimming in the pool, through shared dishes and other household items.
Infection in everyday life often occurs artificially, through damaged skin. If, for example, the blood or mucous secretions of a patient entered the body of a healthy person, then we can already talk about infection.
HIV is not transmitted
The virus is not transmitted through the air (airborne droplets), food and water. Staying in a room with an infected person also does not threaten a healthy one. The use of household items (dishes, towels, bath, pool, linen) also does not pose any danger. The virus is not transmitted by shaking hands, kissing, smoking one cigarette, using one lipstick or the telephone receiver. Also, HIV is not transmitted through insect bites or animals.
HIV and AIDS
HIV infection has a destructive effect on the immune system, thereby reducing the body's resistance to various diseases. If in the first period infection can occur imperceptibly, not manifest itself externally, then at subsequent stages the immune system is weakened to such an extent that the body becomes subject to any infectious disease. These diseases include those that are very rarely affected by uninfected people: pneumonia caused by microorganisms, tumor disease Kaposi's sarcoma.
The condition when a person infected with HIV begins to develop infectious diseases, the cause of which lies in problems of the immune system, is called AIDS.
Prevention of HIV infection
It doesn't matter how HIV is transmitted, it is important that it is life-threatening to humans. In order not to face such a serious problem, it is necessary to lead a correct lifestyle and adhere to the recommendations of doctors.
Of all the methods of fighting AIDS, the most effective is HIV prevention. It includes: having only one sexual partner, avoiding sexual intercourse with drug addicts, prostitutes, as well as with little-known people, refusing group contacts, using protective equipment. These points are extremely important, since HIV infection is most often transmitted through sexual contact through unprotected sex.
For your safety, it is worth remembering that you do not need to use other people's personal hygiene items (medical tools, toothbrushes, razors or razors). Everyone has the right to insist that they be served with disposable new instruments in the office of a cosmetologist, gynecologist, dentist and other specialists.
The health sector should periodically carry out preventive measures against AIDS. These include the promotion of protected sex, careful screening of pregnant women, screening of blood donors and people at risk, birth control, refusal of infected women to breastfeed their babies.
Prevention within the walls of medical institutions implies: the use of only disposable instruments for the treatment of HIV patients, thorough washing of hands after working with an infected patient. It is also necessary to disinfect when the bed, the environment or household items are contaminated with secretions and secretions of the patient. It is definitely worth remembering that it is better to prevent a problem than to solve it later, and in this case - than to live with it later.
Treatment of HIV infection
In this case, as in many others, time counts in days. The sooner the problem is detected, the more chances there are to return the patient to a normal life. HIV treatment is aimed more at delaying the development and progression of the virus, so that it does not turn into a more serious disease - AIDS. An infected person is immediately prescribed a complex of treatment, which includes: drugs that interfere with development and medicines that affect the virus directly, interfering with its development and reproduction.
It is difficult to live with a disease like HIV infection. How it is transmitted, how it develops, how to protect oneself - everyone should know the answers to these questions, because it is unlikely that the patient will be able to lead a normal life, especially if he learns about the problem several years after infection. Therefore, it is so important to monitor your behavior and take care of your health, because this is the most precious thing we have, and, unfortunately or fortunately, it cannot be bought for money.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs, sexually transmitted diseases) include HIV infection, chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis (trichomoniasis), etc.
You are exposed high risk of infection sexually transmitted diseases if:
- You have more than one partner.
- You are having intercourse with someone who has had many partners.
- You do not use an elastic band during intercourse.
- You provide intimate services for money or drugs.
Sexually transmitted infections can be completely cured, or at least prevented from developing (HIV), if they are treated promptly. It is impossible to understand that you are sick, that you have an STI, until the disease damages the reproductive organs (up to severe consequences), eyesight, heart or other organs. Having sexually transmitted diseases weakens the immune system and makes you more vulnerable to other infections. Pelvic inflammation is a complication of many STIs that can affect a woman's ability to have a baby. If you pass on a sexually transmitted disease to your newborn baby, the baby can be harmed for life.
TOP risks of infection with sexually transmitted diseases
Unprotected proximity
Although this is not necessarily 100% of an STI infection, having sex without a rubber band dramatically increases the chance of catching the "infection."
Many partners
The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of infection.
Age under 25
Young women are biologically more susceptible to STIs than older women.
Alcohol consumption
People who regularly drink are less choosy about their sexual partners. ~ "Knee-deep in a drunken sea."
Drug use
Especially the use of synthetic drugs (salts), which sharply exacerbate intimate feelings and a person rushes to everything that moves without understanding what he is doing.
Prostitution
Persons who provide intimate services for money, as they are today called not as prostitutes, but as workers in commercial relations, cannot always convince the client to wear an elastic band.
Serial monogamy
This is when people enter small periods of life together, they do not cheat on each other, but quickly break off relations and have a new couple. Because it looks like a traditional family, then partners often neglect protection, trust each other.
Having an STI
Already the presence of one of the sexually transmitted diseases makes the body more susceptible to other STIs.
Society with a high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases
If you live in an environment ("shanghai", ghetto) where sexually transmitted diseases are very common, then the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease increases many times if you had intercourse or you received a blood transfusion.
Having a partner who is more likely to get an STI
If your partner leads a risky life with a high chance of getting a sexually transmitted infection, then you automatically fall into the zone of risk of getting sick.
Using pills to avoid getting pregnant is the only method of contraception
Women take pills and therefore do not insist that a man wear an elastic band, because they fear pregnancy more than sexually transmitted diseases.
What Causes STIs?
STI pathogens hide in semen, blood, vaginal secretions, and sometimes saliva. They are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse, but some that cause genital herpes and genital warts are usually spread through skin contact. You can get infected hepatitis Busing personal items such as a toothbrush or razor for someone with hepatitis B.
How can you get infected from a sick sexual partner, depending on the type of intercourse. Table.
| Type of intercourse | High risk of infection | Possible risk of infection | The risk is 50/50, “as lucky”. |
| Oral intercourse to a man (what can a partner get infected if he makes a blow job to a sick man) |
|
|
|
| Oral intercourse to a woman (what a partner can get infected if he blows a sick woman) |
| — |
|
| Passive oral intercourse - a man (a man does a blow job from a sick partner, than this man can get infected from this partner) |
| — |
|
| Passive oral intercourse - a woman (a woman is made kuni by a sick partner) |
| — |
|
| Vaginal intercourse - male (what can a man who has vaginal intercourse with a sick woman get sick with) |
| — |
|
| Vaginal intercourse - woman (what can a woman who has vaginal intercourse with a sick man get infected) |
| — |
|
The most common sexually transmitted diseases in men
- AIDS. HIV. 44% of new cases among men who have intercourse with men and 34% among those with normal orientation, 17% among drug users. (Worldwide)
- Gonorrhea. Signs are purulent discharge from the urethra, burning sensation during urination. Untreated gonorrhea causes inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis), and painful testicular conditions can lead to infertility.
- Chlamydia. Chlamydiae cause inflammation of the testicles, prostate, and urethra.
- Herpes simplex virus type II. Causes herpes sores on the genitals.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV affects half of men and is the cause of genital warts and can lead to cancers of the penis, anus, and rectum.
- Syphilis. Recently, the risk of contracting syphilis among men has increased to 70%. If left untreated, syphilis will destroy the brain, heart, and many organs.
The most common sexually transmitted diseases in women
- Chlamydia.It infects 1 million people worldwide every year.
- Gonorrhea. There is a lot of latent gonorrhea that people do not treat, p.e. it's very easy to pick up.
- Genital herpes. One in five teens and adults has genital herpes, which affects women more.
- HIV.AIDS.The growth of women with HIV is increasing every year.
When a woman already has some kind of sexually transmitted disease, she can very easily pick up another one, since STIs cause inflammation of the vaginal tissues, causing erosion.
STI Prevention
Always avoid intercourse with anyone who has sores, rashes, rashes, or other symptoms on the genitals.
The only case when unprotected intercourse is completely safe is when you and your partner have intercourse only with each other and if at least six months have passed since your last negative sexually transmitted disease test.
Otherwise:
- Use latex rubber bands every time you have intercourse. If using a lubricant, make sure it is water based. You must use an elastic band throughout the entire intercourse. Rubber bands are not 100% effective in preventing disease or pregnancy. However, they are extremely effective when used correctly, so find out how.
- Avoid using other people's personal belongings.
- Consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis B.
- If you have a drug or alcohol abuse problem, seek help. People who drink or use drugs often have sexually transmitted diseases.
The only sure way not to get sick with sexually transmitted disease is either not to have intercourse at all or to deal with only one partner with whom you are the only sexual partner in your entire life.
The use of nonoxynol-9 spermicide gum was once thought to help prevent STIs by killing the organisms that can cause these diseases. But more recent studies have shown that nonoxynol-9 also irritates a woman's vagina and cervix, actually increasing the risk of STIs.
Subsequently, a number of manufacturers stopped making rubbers lubricated with nonoxynol-9. According to current guidelines, gum users also do not need to use spermicides.
How can I avoid spreading a sexually transmitted infection?
- Stop intercourse until you seek medical attention and are cured of your STD.
- Follow your doctor's instructions for treatment.
- Do not start intercourse until your doctor tells you everything is okay.
- Visit your doctor for another checkup, if he has prescribed one for you.
- Make sure your partner or partners are also checked and, if necessary, treated.
- Use rubber bands when you are having intercourse, and especially with new partners.
What are the symptoms of STIs?
Sexually transmitted infections - or STIs - often have a latent course, which means there are no symptoms. Especially if you are a woman, you may not notice any symptoms until serious complications arise. You should alert:
- Drops or discharge from the penis, urethra, vagina, or anus. The color can be white, yellow, green or gray. The discharge may be bloody and it may have a strong odor.
- Genital and / or anal itching or irritation.
- Rash, blisters, sores, growths, bumps or warts on the genitals, anus, or mouth.
- Burning or pain when urinating.
- Swollen lymph glands in the groin.
- Pain in the groin or lower abdomen.
- Pain or swelling of the testicles.
- Swelling or redness of the vagina.
- Weight loss, loose stools, night sweats.
- Flu symptoms (such as muscle aches, fever, and chills).
- Painful intimacy.
- Bleeding from the vagina, outside the period of menstruation.
Seek medical help from a dermatovenerologist if:
You have one of the STI symptoms listed above. Do not have intercourse until you have been tested for all sexually transmitted diseases.
If one of your current or former partners tells you that they have a sexually transmitted disease, seek medical attention. Even if you do not have STI symptoms because you may have a sexually transmitted infection.
HIV infection is quite difficult to get infected, but at the same time, people can become HIV-positive even after a single exposure to the virus.
The risk of HIV transmission depends on the amount of viruses contained in the biological fluid of an HIV-infected person with which a healthy person is in contact. The concentration of the virus is not the same at different periods of the development of infection and in different body fluids in a person - a source of HIV infection.
Body fluids in which the virus is contained in maximum concentration (or concentration sufficient for infection):
- Blood;
- Sperm;
- Vaginal, vaginal secretions;
- Breast milk;
- Cerebrospinal fluid, contact with which can occur only in extreme cases, for example, with spinal injuries with leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.
Biological fluids containing the virus in low concentration and not posing a risk of infection:
- Urine;
- Tears;
- Saliva;
- Sputum;
Human infection with the virus occurs when biological fluids containing HIV in maximum concentration enter the bloodstream or mucous membrane.
Natural and artificial transmission routes
HIV infection can be transmitted both naturally and artificially.
The natural route of HIV transmission includes:
- Contact, which is realized mainly during sexual intercourse (both homo- and heterosexual) and when the mucous or wound surface comes into contact with blood.
- Vertical - infection of a child from an HIV-infected mother: during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
The artificial route of HIV transmission includes:
- Artifical - for non-medical invasive procedures, including intravenous drug administration; when applying tattoos; when carrying out cosmetic, manicure and pedicure procedures with non-sterile instruments.
- Artifical - for medical invasive interventions in medical institutions. Infection with HIV can occur through transfusion of blood, its components, transplantation of organs and tissues, the use of donor sperm, donor breast milk from an HIV-infected donor, as well as through medical instruments for parenteral interventions, medical devices contaminated with HIV and not subjected to treatment in accordance with with the requirements of regulatory documents.
HIV is not transmitted
HIV is not transmitted by airborne droplets, water, through household contact, through the use of shared utensils, one toilet, transport, when visiting school, during sports games, swimming in the pool, shaking hands, hugging, kissing.
Blood-sucking insects and arthropods (mosquitoes, bedbugs, lice, ticks) do not participate in the transmission of the virus.
Probability of HIV transmission
The likelihood of HIV transmission by different routes is not the same; literature data on the risk of HIV infection through different contacts are shown in Table 1.
Table 1
Probability of HIV transmission
| Transmission path | Transmission probability
HIV infection,% |
| Male to female with unprotected vaginal contact | 0,01–0,2 |
| From woman to man with unprotected vaginal contact | 0,003–0,01 |
| Male to male with unprotected anal contact | 0,03–0,5 |
| Vertical transmission from mother to child | 13–50 |
| When injected with a needle contaminated with HIV | 0,03–0,3 |
| When using non-sterile injecting equipment | 1–70 |
| When transfusing infected blood products | 80–100 |
The greatest risk of HIV infection occurs when damaged skin comes into contact with HIV-infected blood. An almost 100 percent chance of HIV infection exists through the transfusion of HIV-infected blood, blood components, and organ and tissue transplants. Transmission of HIV infection in the world is also recorded through the use of donor sperm and breast milk. In the Perm Territory, only 1 case of HIV infection was registered during transfusion of blood components in 2001.
Another option for the transmission of HIV infection by artificial means is infection through drug use with non-sterile instruments. It is the most common route of HIV transmission worldwide. Data on the likelihood of contracting HIV vary significantly (ranging from less than 1% to 70%). This is due to the existence of various risky drug use practices in terms of HIV infection: the use of shared needles, syringes or containers for drug use.
The natural modes of transmission of HIV infection include sexual intercourse through homosexual and heterosexual intercourse and mother-to-child transmission of HIV. During sexual intercourse, unprotected anal intercourse is the most risky. The lowest risk of infection is observed during vaginal intercourse of an uninfected man with an HIV-infected woman.
Condoms effectively protect against HIV infection through sexual contact. The risk of contracting HIV can only arise from damage, rupture or misuse.
The risk of HIV transmission from mother to child with the use of modern highly active chemoprophylaxis regimens can be reduced to 2% or less. In their absence, up to 45% of children become infected.
One of the most terrible diseases of modern mankind is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). This infection does not respond to treatment and severely restricts the patient's life. In the wake of general panic, from the very beginning of the onset of the disease, people are afraid of getting infected and are wary of already infected people, not even knowing how HIV is transmitted.
The disease affects human blood cells, gradually covering an ever larger area. A feature of infection is a sharp surge in the activity of the immune system, which tries to get rid of the infection and gradually loses its protective functions.
The body begins to actively produce antibodies, which takes up most of the available defense resources, and much fewer protective cells remain for other infections. The action of the immune system in this case resembles a kind of pitchfork, along the teeth of which protective cells are directed to fight against foreign bodies. Most of the "defenders" go to one of the streams, since this threat comes first.
During the development of the virus, a constant change in its structure occurs, a destructive effect on the immune system is observed, antibodies accumulate in the blood and the viral load increases. When a critical value is reached, the disease goes into the AIDS stage. At this level, the body's defenses are weakened so much that any additional infection can lead to the death of the infected.
When a disease is detected, it is important to take timely treatment measures and stop the development of the virus, delay acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Medical intervention in the course of the disease consists in the prescription of drugs that inhibit the growth of infected cells and allow the body to reduce the load on the immune system.
The overwhelming majority of the world's population does not have an accurate idea of \u200b\u200bthe methods of transmission of infection, means protection and prevention... This leads to an inadequate response to information about a person's infection.
In short, HIV is not transmitted in the home. It is safe to communicate with an infected person, to live with him in the same room.
Healthy and infected people can simultaneously use:
- crockery and cutlery;
- towel and bed linen;
- shower, bath, toilet.
The virus is not transmitted through handshakes, kissing or air, otherwise the scale of the disaster would have been much greater. A healthy and infected person can use one lipstick, a telephone receiver, smoke one cigarette, and exchange clothes without fear of transmission. It is impossible to get a virus from an insect bite.
To maintain his own peace of mind, a person needs to know that HIV infection is extremely unstable and dies under the influence of alcohol, acetone, ether and other disinfectants. Once on the surface of healthy, intact skin, the virus is killed by surface bacteria and secreted enzymes. The destruction of the structure of the infection also occurs during heat treatment. To do this, it is enough to boil the product for 1 minute or stand for half an hour at 57 degrees Celsius.
It is only possible to provide full protection against infection with an accurate understanding of how HIV is transmitted. There are three ways of infection.
Sexually transmitted infection. The most famous method of transmission. The virus is present in the body secretions that are found in men and women infected with HIV, and it is also in the male semen.
During intercourse, microscopic lesions occur on the mucous organs through which the infection enters the bloodstream. If not for this detail, then sexual relations would be safe. By the way, this is how everyone penetrates STI into the human body. The fact is that the genital microflora itself fights any infection and could prevent infection, but the number of infected cells is so large that it cannot cope. The use of lubricant reduces damage to internal tissues and can interfere with the transmission of the virus to some extent.
By the way, there are cases when HIV was not transmitted after unprotected sex with an infected person, but the percentage is too small to count on it (about 0.8%).
The only way to be safe in this case is to use condoms. No other means of contraception can prevent the virus from entering the body. During unprotected intercourse, the risk of contracting any infections is high, and HIV can also be transmitted. This applies to both heterosexual and homosexual couples.
The presence of inflammation or diseases of the genitals accelerates the adaptation of the virus to the human body and the destruction of the immune system.
It is important to know that a condom is not 100% safe. In less than 2%, the infection is transmitted through protected sex. Most likely, this is due to the poor quality of the product or careless handling of it.
Oral sex can also cause infection if the mucous membrane in the mouth is damaged.
Vertical mode of transmission. This applies exclusively to women. HIV can be passed from mother to child or fetus. The fact is that breast milk is one of the body's secretions and contains a lot of substances that circulate in it, and the embryo is directly connected with the mother's bloodstream, although it has its own protection.
More recently, this method of infection was very common, but as a result of medical progress, the risk of transmission of infection has been reduced to a possible minimum. If conception occurred during the mother's illness or she fell ill during lactation, then with the help of sparing drugs, the activity of the infection decreases and blocks the path to the child, which gives a chance to raise a healthy child. An alternative solution is artificial feeding.
It is important to understand that the health of an infected woman is seriously threatened due to hormonal imbalance, etc. Childbirth should take place under the supervision of doctors, because it is at this time that the body is susceptible to extraneous infections.
Unlike others, this is an artificial transmission of the virus to a healthy person. There can be many reasons for this, but all of them can be avoided:
- Organ or tissue transplant. All people who agree to be organ donors are carefully screened and monitored for their health. In this case, the likelihood of infection is not excluded. In the organs and tissues of the donor, part of the blood and infected cells is retained, which contributes to the transmission of infection.
- Blood transfusion. Incidents during transfusion of contaminated blood have not occurred in medical institutions for a long time, since the donor fluid undergoes a lot of mandatory tests and checks before being transported to the blood bank. Unauthorized services can be fatal.
- Intravenous injection with non-sterile devices. Since the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic, the Ministry of Health closely monitors the quality of service delivery by health facilities. That is why the use of reusable syringes, lancets, scarifiers (a tool for piercing a finger when taking tests) in polyclinics has been discontinued, because due to the negligence of any employee, infections can be transferred from person to person. Drug addiction is also one of the most common ways of parenteral transmission of the virus. People who are addicted to drugs can use the same syringe for several injections in a row, which leads to infection.
- Tattoos and piercings. Salons that provide services for painting on the skin and tingling areas of the body do not always comply with hygiene standards. In a typewriter, the needle penetrates into the deep layers of the skin, where the large capillaries are located, and can transmit the infection directly into the blood. In addition to HIV, in this way you can get a lot of diseases (hepatitis, blood poisoning, etc.). That is why people with tattoos or piercings cannot donate blood.
- Use of general hygiene products. This method of infection occurs through an instrument that comes into contact first with infected, and then with healthy blood. A clear example is a cut by someone else's razor. If a person uses a razor, then he does not think about its disinfection and processing, therefore, you should not use someone else's and already used devices.
If a person is afraid of contracting an infection and does not know how HIV is transmitted and in what way, then first of all he must remember that the virus is not dangerous in everyday communication. Infection cannot occur in a minibus or subway, by touching or shaking hands, a friendly kiss or drinking from one glass.
Compliance with personal hygiene and protection during intimate contact provide full health protection.
The main means of protection against infection are adherence to moral, ethical and health principles:
- have one proven sexual partner;
- use proven means of protection;
- do not take drugs;
- check your health regularly.
It is important to reasonably perceive information about the methods of infection, to take the necessary measures.
If you are healthy or with HIV, then you should not limit yourself in communication or put an end to your personal life. Any disease has its weaknesses and can be prevented by following the recommended means of effective prevention. Adequate attention to one's health, care for loved ones, relatives and loved ones should be a sufficient incentive to comply with the minimum means of infectious prevention.
Most infected people take care of their partner's health and prepare for possible contact in advance.
Microscopic wounds of the skin such as abrasions will not lead to the penetration of infection into the body, since in this case all access to the bloodstream is blocked by the body.
Two people infected with HIV or AIDS should not neglect their protective equipment. This is due to the fact that the virus develops in each organism individually, and the ingestion of an updated strain can accelerate the development of the disease.