How is HIV Transmitted?
HIV is not easily transmitted. The virus is very fragile and does not live long outside the human body. Transmission of HIV can occur through unprotected sexual intercourse, oral sex, breast-feeding from mother to child, and by sharing drug injection equipment.
Note: Before 1985, donated blood was not tested, so HIV could be transmitted through contaminated blood products through a blood transfusion. Today all donated blood and blood products are tested for HIV, so blood transfusions are now considered to be safe.
There are only five fluids that contain enough HIV to transmit the virus from an HIV infected person to an un-infected person. The five fluids are:
- Blood
- Semen
- Pre-Ejaculate Fluid
- Breast milk
- Vaginal fluids
Mosquito, animal or human bites, casual contact such as sharing toilet seats or water faucets, do not transmit HIV. You cannot transmit HIV from one person to another through touching, kissing, hugging or massage.
Employers do not need to be concerned about the possibility of an employee with HIV/AIDS transmitting the virus to co-workers!
What Medical Treatments are Available for Persons with HIV/AIDS?
There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS however, tremendous progress has been made over recent years to develop medications that are able to slow the damage that HIV/AIDS causes to the immune system. These medications are very powerful and can cause side effects that impact daily functioning. Common medication side effects include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue/weakness
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Memory problems
- Appetite loss
- Lipodystrophy (wasting in the face and limbs)
- Neuropathy (extreme numbness and pain, most often in the hands and feet)
