Transmission of HIV AIDS

Q - How is HIV transmitted?

A - Transmission of HIV AIDS is by the following common methods:

1. Sexual intercourse with an infected person is the commonest mode of spread.
2. Sharing of needles (especially by intravenous drug users) sharp objects used for personal hygiene like shaving sticks and hair clippers.
3. Transmission from an infected mother to her baby.
4. Transfusion of un-screened infected blood and blood products.

Q - If you have un-protected sexual intercourse with an infected person, are you 100% certain of getting HIV?

A - The chances of getting HIV are MUCH greater when you have sexual intercourse without proper protection. However, NOT all acts of sexual intercourse between infected and un-infected people will lead to transmission. The following factors if present will make transmission more likely. But I must warn that absence of these factors does not mean you can't get HIV through risky behaviours.

• Another sexually transmitted disease
• Lack of circumcision in men
• Menstruation
• Hormonal imbalance
• sores, ulcers and irritation of the genitals
• unusual sexual practices, especially those that cause bruising of the lining of the vagina. This is a big factor in cases of rape
• Taking birth control pills
• The chances are also greater for the "receiver" of the penetrative act than it is for the "giver" in any sexual act
• Poor nutritional status especially the lack of vitamins and minerals

Q - Can HIV be transmitted through Kissing?

A - Medical science has found no proof (as at the time of writing) to suggest that there's transmission of HIV AIDS through saliva by kissing.

Even though small amounts of the virus have been isolated in saliva, laboratory studies reveal that saliva has natural properties that decrease the power of HIV to infect cells.

However, the lining of the mouth can be infected by HIV and there have been reports of transmission of HIV AIDS through oral intercourse.

Q - My partner tested HIV negative does that mean I'm negative?

A - The only way to know for sure that you don't have HIV/AIDS is to do a test.

Q - Can I get HIV by eating with infected persons?

A - There is no evidence that HIV can be transmitted by eating with infected persons. Eating is classified as casual contact which isn't infectious. Other forms of casual contact include shaking hands or hugging, sleeping on the same bed, using the same bathroom and toilets, sharing the same swimming pool or using the same telephone.

Q - How does transmission of HIV AIDS from a mother to her unborn child happen?

A -

1. During pregnancy. There is a possibility that an infected mother can pass the virus to her unborn child while she is pregnant. This chance increases if complications like abruptio placenta occur.
2. During labour and delivery. There is some mixture of mother's blood and baby's blood especially if there is prolonged labour or any other complication of delivery.
3. Through breast feeding. HIV is present in breast milk and can infect the linings of the alimentary tract of the baby.

Q - Can mosquitoes and other biting insects transmit HIV?

A - No! There is no evidence that suggests this is possible. It would be disastrous if this were true because everyone living in endemic malaria regions will already have HIV.

Q - How often do people get HIV from blood transfusion?

A - Transmission of HIV AIDS through infected blood and blood products is no longer common due to the preventive measures that have been put in place in reputable health care facilities. Blood is now routinely screened for HIV 1 and HIV 2 and where available, treated with virucidal techniques before transfusion. Also, donors are screened and if they are found to be HIV positive, they are not allowed to donate blood.

Q - Can a woman get HIV from artificial insemination?

A - Yes, it's possible to get it from untreated semen from infected donors. But measures like donor screening, semen screening and virucidal techniques have been adopted to prevent situations like this from arising.

Q - Is transmission of HIV AIDS through transplants possible?

A - Yes but the incidence is very low because donor screening, sensitive and accurate HIV testing and virucidal processing techniques have been adopted.

Q - How can I prevent myself and my loved ones from getting HIV?

A - Click the link to read answers to questions asked on preventing the transmission of HIV AIDS. However, the most important thing is to know about how HIV is transmitted. What is contained on this page is just a summary, you should talk with your health care provider or a HIV counselor and discuss personal habits that may put you at risk of getting HIV.

In the meantime, you could read this free e-book on HIV/AIDS prevention provided by AIDSinfo.

Published - August, 2006

Last Updated - May, 2010