How You Might Get HIV even Without Unsafe Sex

In the last thirty years, over 25 million people have died because of HIV (human immune-deficiency virus) infection, commonly known as AIDS. Currently, more than 34 million people are HIV positive. HIV infection can be detected by blood tests. Remedies or cures for this dreaded disease have yet not been found and antiretroviral therapeutic procedures are the only effective means of treatment available. 

Possibilities of your contracting HIV are highest when you have unprotected sex with someone who’s a carrier (he or she’s infected with the virus). Most of people getting infected by HIV get it through some sexual act. But there are host of other ways in which you can get infected, other than having unprotected intercourse with a HIV patient. 

In what other ways can one get affected by HIV?

You’re most likely to get infected with HIV and pass it on if:-

• You indulge in oral or anal sex in an unprotected manner.
• You’re administered injections or transfusions where the syringe or the transfused liquid like blood or blood serum, for instance, is contaminated. 
• Even artificial insemination, organ transplants or skin grafts from an infected patient can lead to spread of HIV.
• You’re pregnant and a carrier, there is a high possibility of your passing on the virus to the fetus. Your offspring can also get infected during delivery or lactation; this way too you can spread HIV. 
• You use an unsterilized needle that had previously been used by a HIV positive person 
• You’re already infected with a STD (sexually transmitted disease) like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis, leucorrhoea, herpes zoster, and bacterial vaginosis
• You receive medical procedures before or after a surgery like dressing, stitching, syringing or anesthesia where unsterilized equipment has been used
• You’re getting a tattoo or body-piercing done with equipment which has not been sterilized and has been used on a HIV positive person prior to being used on you. 

Recommended Read: Need for Pre-marital AIDS test

Debunk the myths  

There are certain myths surrounding HIV infection that the medical fraternity throughout the world has not been able to completely debunk completely. There are still many people who strongly feel that the virus can be transmitted if one kisses, hugs, shakes hands and shares meals with someone who is a carrier. They also think that the virus can be passed on if someone shares personal objects or belongings used by a HIV positive person.

Recommended Read: How to Talk about HIV and Sexual Health with Your Date

 

One needs to be aware that the virus can only be transmitted intravenously to the bloodstream if one has physical contact with a carrier of the disease who’s bleeding. Using condoms during coitus, oral and anal sex, getting regularly tested for HIV and STDs, male circumcision, and antiretroviral oriented treatments can considerably alleviate the risk of getting infected.  Remember- Prevention is the only cure to HIV.