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HIV infection
HIV infection is a condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The condition gradually destroys the immune system, which makes it harder for the body to fightinfections.
Causes
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be spread by the following:
* Through sexual contact -- including oral, vaginal, and anal sex
* Through blood -- through bloodtransfusions, accidental needle sticks, or needle sharing
* From mother to child -- a pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her fetus through their shared blood circulation, or a nursing mother can passit to her baby in her breast milk
Rare ways the virus may be spread include:
* Accidental needle injury
* Artificial insemination with infected semen
* Organ transplantation with infectedorgans
Blood banks and orang donor programs screen donors, blood, and tissues thoroughly to prevent the risk of infection. HIV is NOT transmitted to a person who DONATES blood or organs. People whodonate organs are never in direct contact with people who receive them. Likewise, a person who donates blood is never in contact with the person receiving it. In all these procedures, sterile needlesand instruments are used.
HIV infection is NOT spread by:
* Casual contact such as hugging
* Mosquitoes
* Participation in sports
* Touching items that were touched by a personinfected with the virus
People at highest risk for getting HIV include:
* Injection drug users who share needles
* Infants born to mothers with HIV who didn't receive HIV therapy during pregnancy* People who have unprotected sex, especially with people who have other high-risk behaviors, are HIV-positive, or have AIDS
* People who received blood transfusions or clotting productsbetween 1977 and 1985 (before screening for the virus became standard practice)
* Sexual partners of those who participate in high-risk activities (such as injection drug use or anal sex)
Symptoms...