Causes of HIV Infection HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a viral infection that can be transmitted through sexual contact, from pregnant women to child, and during childbirth. HIV is mainly a sexually transmitted infection that damages the body’s immune system. There is no cure for HIV, however there are medications that can reduce the progression of the disease. These medicines have a tendency to lower the number of deaths caused by HIV. HIV does not pass from person to another easily. Nor is it spread through the air like cold and flu viruses. It mainly lives in blood fluids. The fluids that contain HIV include semen, breast milk, vaginal fluids, blood and the lining inside the anus. Relation of HIV with AIDS HIV is responsible for destroying a specific type of blood cells known as CD4 cells. It is a special type of white blood cell that plays a vital role in fighting diseases. Whenever CD4 cells are killed, your immune system is weakened. It may take a number of years to progress from HIV to AIDS. It is believed that people who are infected with HIV can progress to AIDS, if their CD4 count decreases below 200. HIV infects the body when exposed to contaminated agents carrying the virus. There are also some myths associated with HIV, and it is important to be well educated about the disease. One of the most important things to know is that HIV doesn’t spread through ordinary contact like if you hug, kiss, or dance with a person who has HIV or AIDS.
Causes Sexual contact: Factors that increase the chances of HIV development in a person include vaginal or oral sex with an infected partner whose blood, semen or vaginal secretions enter your body. HIV easily enters the body through mouth sores that usually develop in the vagina during sexual contact. HIV can be spread if someone performs oral sex with a woman having HIV, mainly if she is in her menstrual phase. However, this cause for HIV can be considered less risky. Role of blood transfusions: HIV can be transmitted through blood transfusions. In many countries, blood banks are screening the supply of blood for HIV antibodies, thus reducing the risk of HIV infections. Sharing needles: Needles contaminated with infected blood cause HIV. Sharing infected needles puts a person at higher risk of HIV and also other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis.
People who are using intravenous drugs generally share syringes and needles, and are exposed to contaminating factors of other people's blood. During pregnancy: A pregnant woman can infect her baby with HIV, but there are some drugs that can be taken during pregnancy that lowers the risk of transference. Unprotected sex: Men having sexual contact without using a condom are at high risk of HIV. It is also considered that anal sex is more risky than vaginal sex. The risk of HIV also increases if a person is involved with multiple sexual partners. Sexually transmitted infections generate open sores on the genitals, and act as gateways for HIV to enter in the body. The United States was the first country in which HIV surfaced, and was believed that it mainly affected homosexual relationships. However, recent studies indicate HIV can be transmitted through heterosexual sex as well, and can be affect any age, race, or sexual orientation.
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