HIV is a virus that can damage your immune system and make you vulnerable to other infections and diseases. But how do people get HIV? And what can you do to prevent it? In this article, you will learn the facts about HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment.
You will also discover some common myths and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how HIV affects your health and how you can protect yourself and others from this virus.
Lack of education about HIV transmission makes some people stay away from HIV. In fact, contagion is not that easy. HIV is not transmitted through saliva, sweat, touch, kis**ses, mosquito bites or toilet marks. But more to the contact of bodily fluids such as blood and spe**rm through se**xual behavior and the use of syringes.
HIV or human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that attacks the immune system. HIV can be fatal if left untreated and can be transmitted under certain circumstances. That’s why it’s important to know correctly how to transmit HIV, so that you don’t get started with this disease.
What is HIV?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is a type of virus that attacks the cells of your immune system, especially the CD4 T cells. These cells help your body fight off infections and diseases. When HIV infects these cells, it makes copies of itself and destroys them. This reduces your immune system’s ability to defend your body from other threats.
What Are Some Myths and Facts About HIV and AIDS?
There are many myths and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS that can cause fear, stigma, and discrimination. Here are some common ones and the facts behind them:
Myth: The way HIV AIDS is transmitted through the use of razors alternately in the family or in the barber shop.
In fact, using a razor alternate with ODHA will not transmit the virus. Because, the virus easily dies in the free air. But using razors alternately is not recommended for hygiene reasons.
Myth: The way HIV AIDS is transmitted through the use of cutlery alternately between ODHA and healthy people.
In fact, no. In addition to being an easy virus to die in the free air, the virus in saliva is not enough to be transmitted to others.
Myth: The way HIV AIDS is transmitted through canned food that has been injected with blood containing the virus.
In fact, wrong. HIV virus easily dies outside the human body. In addition, canned food also goes through the sterilization process so that the virus easily dies.
Myth: It Can Be Transmitted By Touch
HIV can be transmitted by touch is a myth of HIV transmission that has developed a lot. In fact, a person does not transmit or contract HIV by touching. Shaking hands, cuddling, holding hands or similar types of physical contact will not transmit the virus.
A person can only contract the virus if in contact with blood, breast milk, semen, vagi**na, rectum and prese**minal people with HIV.
However, this fluid must also come into contact with the mucous membranes of others, such as in or in the rectum, vagi**na, pe**nis, or mouth to transmit the virus. Transmission occurs through the injured skin and the use of syringes.
Myth: You can tell if someone has HIV by looking at them.
Fact: You cannot tell if someone has HIV by their appearance. Many people with HIV look healthy and have no symptoms for years. The only way to know for sure if someone has HIV is to get tested.
Myth: You can get HIV from mosquitoes, toilet seats, or swimming pools.
Fact: You cannot get HIV from mosquitoes, toilet seats, or swimming pools. HIV cannot survive outside the human body for long and cannot be transmitted by insects or objects. It can only be transmitted by direct contact with certain body fluids from a person with HIV.
Myth: There is a cure or a vaccine for HIV and AIDS.
Fact: There is no cure or a vaccine for HIV and AIDS. However, there is effective treatment that can help people with HIV live long and healthy lives. There is also prevention that can help people avoid getting or transmitting HIV. Research is ongoing to find new and better ways to prevent, treat, and cure HIV and AIDS.
How Do People Get HIV?
Through blood
HIV AIDS can be transmitted through the blood. In his case, HIV AIDS can be transmitted through the blood with the use of syringes used together, for example by using a syringe when tattooing or by using an injectable NAPZA.
In addition to needle use, HIV AIDS can also be infected if you make out with a partner who has HIV if there is an open wound in your partner’s mouth. Finally, HIV can be transmitted through the receipt of blood donations from PEOPLE with HIV.
S**ex
Having unprotected s**ex and changing partners increases the likelihood of a person to be exposed to or infected with HIV AIDS. Because during s**ex, vagi**nal fluid and spe**rm will be switched.
Breast milk
A mother with HIV AIDS can transmit her child through breast milk. Breast milk consumed can affect the rate of transmission in children by 25-30%.
Through blood transfusion
Receiving a blood transfusion, blood product, or transplantation of HIV-contaminated organs or tissues can also be another cause of a person contracting HIV.
However, currently the risk of transmission through such intermediaries is very small, as most countries conduct rigorous testing of the blood supply as well as organs or tissues donated by a person.
How Do People Get HIV from a mani pedi salon
Although HIV transmission from menicure is very low, one must also be careful that mani pedi devices that are not properly sterilized can transmit HIV or hepatitis C.
The risk of transmission is greater if a person has wounds, or other skin damage.
To prevent transmission from the salon should care salon equipment properly, such as using hot water and antibacterial soap, then sterilize the appliance by soaking it in hot water or wiping the equipment using alco**hol.
HIV is not spread by casual contact, such as hugging, kis**sing, or sharing food or utensils. It is also not spread by mosquitoes, saliva, sweat, tears, or urine.
How Can You Prevent HIV Transmission?
The best way to prevent HIV transmission is to avoid exposure to the virus. This means:
- Using con**doms correctly and consistently every time you have se**x, whether vagi**nal, a**nal, or oral. Con**doms can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by up to 95%.
- Getting tested for HIV regularly and knowing your status. If you have HIV, you can start treatment as soon as possible and reduce the amount of virus in your blood. This can lower the chance of passing HIV to others by up to 97%.
- Taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if you are at high risk of getting HIV. PrEP is a daily pill that can prevent HIV infection by up to 99% if taken as prescribed. You can get PrEP from your health care provider if you are HIV-negative and have sex with someone who has HIV or whose status is unknown, or if you inject drugs and share needles or syringes.
- Taking post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if you think you have been exposed to HIV. PEP is a course of antiretroviral drugs that can prevent HIV infection if taken within 72 hours of exposure. You can get PEP from an emergency room or a clinic if you have had unprotected sex with someone who has HIV or whose status is unknown, or if you have been injured by a needle or syringe that may have HIV on it.
- Not sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment with anyone. If you inject drugs, use new and sterile equipment every time and dispose of them safely. You can also get clean needles and syringes from a harm reduction program or a pharmacy.
- Getting treatment for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you have them. STIs can increase the risk of getting or transmitting HIV by creating breaks in the skin or mucous membranes. You can get tested and treated for STIs at a clinic or a health care provider.
How Can You Treat HIV and Live Well With It?
There is no cure for HIV, but there is effective treatment that can help you live a long and healthy life. Treatment for HIV consists of taking antiretroviral drugs that stop the virus from multiplying and damaging your immune system. You need to take these drugs every day for the rest of your life.
Treatment for HIV can:
- Improve your quality of life and well-being
- Restore and strengthen your immune system
- Prevent or delay the development of AIDS and other complications
- Reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others
The sooner you start treatment, the better the outcomes. If you have HIV, you should see a health care provider as soon as possible and get on treatment. You should also have regular check-ups and tests to monitor your health and your response to treatment.
Living well with HIV also involves taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. This means:
- Eating a balanced and nutritious diet
- Getting enough rest and sleep
- Exercising regularly and staying active
- Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and other substances that can harm your health
- Managing stress and coping with challenges
- Seeking support from your family, friends, and community
- Joining a support group or a peer network of people living with HIV
- Educating yourself and others about HIV and AIDS
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about HIV and AIDS:
How can I get tested for HIV?
You can get tested for HIV at a clinic, a health care provider, or a testing site. You can also use a home testing kit that you can buy online or at a pharmacy.
Testing for HIV is confidential and voluntary. You should get tested at least once a year if you are sexually active or have other risk factors for HIV.
What does it mean to have an undetectable viral load?
Having an undetectable viral load means that the amount of HIV in your blood is so low that it cannot be detected by a standard test. This means that your treatment is working well and that you have a very low chance of transmitting HIV to others.
However, this does not mean that you are cured of HIV. You still need to take your medication every day and get regular check-ups and tests.
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, when the immune system is severely damaged and cannot fight off infections and diseases.
Not everyone who has HIV develops AIDS. You can prevent or delay the progression of HIV to AIDS by getting on treatment and taking care of your health.
Bottom Line
HIV is a virus that can damage your immune system and make you vulnerable to other infections and diseases. But how do people get HIV? You can get HIV by having unprotected se**x, sharing needles, or getting a blood transfusion from someone who has HIV. You can also get HIV from your mother during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding if she has HIV.
You can prevent HIV transmission by using con**doms, getting tested, taking PrEP or PEP, and not sharing needles. You can treat HIV by taking antiretroviral drugs that stop the virus from multiplying and damaging your immune system. You can live well with HIV by taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health and seeking support from others.
HIV and AIDS are serious medical conditions that affect millions of people around the world. But there is hope and help available. By knowing the facts and taking action, you can protect yourself and others from this virus and live a long and healthy life.
Thank you very much for reading How Do People Get HIV: Myths and Facts, hopefully useful.