Transmission routes, prevention, and clinical manifestations of HIV/AIDS

**AIDS**

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> 6.1 // What is AIDS?

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The abbreviation for AIDS is AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the transliteration of AIDS.

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The disease was first reported in the United States in 1981.

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This disease is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. When the virus multiplies to a certain extent in the body, the patient will develop symptoms. Because the virus directly destroys the human immune system, the patient's symptoms are mostly those caused by the infection, such as diarrhea and high fever caused by gastrointestinal infection.

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Most patients die from infections or tumors because their immune systems are compromised, making them unable to resist any pathogens and thus unable to detect and kill tumor cells in time. In recent years, it has been shown that most patients die from tuberculosis, Kaposi's sarcoma, and other diseases.

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> 6.2 // How exactly is HIV transmitted?

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There are three main routes of HIV transmission:

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The first is sexual transmission.

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The main route of HIV transmission is through unprotected sexual intercourse. Anal sex is also a high-risk factor for HIV transmission. The transmission process is mainly caused by minor injuries to the external genitalia during sexual intercourse. When the external genitalia are already infected, the possibility of contracting HIV through sexual intercourse is relatively high.

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The second route of transmission is through blood products.

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The chance of contracting HIV through transfusion of blood or blood products containing HIV is 100%.

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Since 2000, my country has mandated HIV antibody screening among blood donors, which has greatly reduced HIV infections caused by blood transfusions. However, for some people who have just been infected with HIV, their bodies have not yet produced enough antibodies to detect HIV infection. Therefore, when these patients donate blood, they often cannot be screened for HIV, which may lead to infection of the recipient. There is currently no effective way to prevent this worldwide. The best approach is to avoid blood transfusions as much as possible.

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Intravenous drug use is another form of HIV transmission through blood. It mainly occurs when drug users share syringes, introducing virus-containing blood into other people's bodies.

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The third form is transmission between mother and infant.

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Because the incubation period for HIV is 2 to 10 years, many women are unaware that they are infected with HIV and only discover it after becoming pregnant. They often transmit the virus to their babies during childbirth.

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Furthermore, mothers can transmit HIV to their infants through breast milk during breastfeeding.

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It should be pointed out that if an HIV-positive woman becomes pregnant and receives effective treatment in a hospital, and if proper procedures are followed during childbirth, it is often possible to prevent the mother from transmitting the virus to the baby. The key is that we must ensure that every pregnant woman, especially those with HIV, understands this information. They should know that mother-to-child transmission is largely preventable, but they should also know that women infected with HIV should not become pregnant, let alone breastfeed.

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**6.3//Can you get HIV from kissing?**

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The following behaviors are unlikely to transmit HIV: ① According to US data, there is currently no valid evidence that kissing can transmit HIV, but deep French kissing is not recommended at present.

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> ② Daily contact with AIDS patients, such as shaking hands, eating, and swimming, will not lead to HIV infection.

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For HIV to spread, two conditions must be met: first, the infected person must have the virus on their hands, saliva, or other surfaces that have come into contact with others; second, the infected person must have broken skin so that the virus can enter their body.

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Generally speaking, HIV-positive individuals have a large amount of virus in their blood and semen, and healthy people should try to avoid contact with them.

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Furthermore, when our skin is injured, it must be bandaged. This can not only prevent HIV infection but also prevent infection by other viruses and bacteria.

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③ There is currently no evidence that mosquito bites can transmit HIV.

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> 6.4 What are the consequences of AIDS?

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Although the incubation period for AIDS is relatively long, about 2 to 10 years, the average survival time after the onset of the disease is only 28 months, and the mortality rate is almost 100%. The cost of AIDS treatment is very high. In the United States, the medical expenses for each patient are about $12,000 to $18,000 per year. More serious than the economic losses is the disaster that AIDS has brought to human civilization and health worldwide.

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**6.5//How to prevent AIDS?**

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AIDS should be a matter of concern and attention for everyone. Participating in AIDS prevention is of utmost importance because it is not just a matter for one person, but involves all of humanity.

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In 2001, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said at the African AIDS Conference that if we do not pay attention to the prevention and control of AIDS, our next generation will have no access to education and no food or clothing, and before long, there will be no descendants and a global economic collapse.

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As for what each of us should specifically do, I think it is the following: ① Be loyal to your wife and children and avoid extramarital sex.

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② Pay attention to the use of condoms, as condoms can effectively prevent the spread of HIV.

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③ Avoid intravenous use of blood products as much as possible.

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> ④ Avoid contact with the blood, semen, and vaginal secretions of people with HIV/AIDS.

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> ⑤ Protect your skin from damage; if it is damaged, be sure to bandage it.

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⑥ Avoid using public razors when getting a haircut in a public place.