Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is a fatal infection caused by the transmission of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that destroys the white blood cells and decreases the body’s immunity system. When the transmitted HIV attacks a cell, it mixes with its genetic material and stays inactive. After a point of time, the Virus gets activated on its own and progressively starts leading to fatal infections and other diseases that lead to AIDS. Even after so many years of research and experiments, the cure for this fatal disease has yet to debut.
How does the transmission of HIV/ AIDS VIRUS happen?
In its entirety, HIV has always been an infectious disease that can be transmitted from one infected person to another in four ways, they are:
- Sexual Transmission (Anal and Vaginal);
- Contaminated Blood and Blood Products; tissues and organs
- Contaminated Needles, Syringes, and other piercing instruments;
- Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)
Four Primary Ways of Transmission
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Sexual transmission
Transmission of AIDS can happen if there has been unprotected sexual intercourse. That means if there has been no protection used and one of the individuals is infected with HIV, then the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is possible. The risk of becoming infected through unprotected sexual intercourse depends upon a few factors:-
- The probable chances of either of the partner being infected;
- The type of sexual activity involved;
- Presence of virus in the blood or sexual secretion;
- Either partner is infected by STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)
It so happens that an infected person is highly vulnerable and more prone to communicate or transmit HIV in the first two weeks of being infected. This is the time when the antibodies known as Seroconversion are developing.
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Contaminated blood and blood products- tissues and organs.
Usually, as many as 75% of cases in the health sector require blood transfusion daily. Contamination through blood is a high-risk possibility, and it increases manifold in rural areas in any country where facilities are lacking and people possess incomplete knowledge. To prevent the transmission of HIV by tissues and organs, when the sperm samples are sent, the donor should always be tested beforehand.
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Contaminated piercing instruments
A few instances where the chances are higher of getting infected are;
- Giving blood samples using the pre-used syringes
- Getting vaccinated without changing the needle
- Getting tattooed with the same needle
- Sharing the same needles while doing drugs
Therefore, the best way to prevent transmission of the AIDS virus is to ensure that a fresh syringe and needles are used every time a blood sample is taken. And while going to get tattooed, make sure the needle is changed. All the needles and syringes that can’t be disposed of after one use should be adequately sterilised.
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Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)
The following instances can be considered the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus from a mother to an infant-
- During pregnancy
- In labour/during delivery
- While breastfeeding
Usually, MTCT occurs around delivery timings or while pregnant, and the infants who are breastfed get infected by drinking the mother’s milk. However, this category of infants doesn’t give out many symptoms as diarrhoea is the most commonly known symptom, otherwise a very easily guessed trait in non-infected children.
These symptoms can not be trusted as the reliable parameters of being infected by HIV. Although researchers have developed blood tests to diagnose the early stages of HIV, these are highly expensive considering the grave danger they analyse. Hence, they could only be afforded by certain sections of the population.
Ways in which HIV cannot be transmitted
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HIV is not flu or cold that can be transmitted by casual contact or just standing with the infected person.
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It cannot be passed through using the same restrooms, utensils, sitting areas, or other commonly used things and areas in daily routine.
Conclusion
Although fatal, there are many ways to prevent the transmission of AIDS because the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is possible only if there aren’t any preventive measures taken beforehand. Moreover, it is also that an individual contaminated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus does not necessarily have AIDS, but an individual infected with HIV. There isn’t a cure available for this disease, yet there are prescribed drugs available on the market to help an individual fight this disease for a little longer.