Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus (a virus belonging to the viral family Retroviridae) that can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the virus attacks immune cells (cells that fight against foreign pathogens/antigens) and hence a person’s ability to fight against infections & diseases slowly diminishes and person ultimately dies of a disease which could be as simple as TB.
An HIV positive test result does not mean that a person has AIDS. HIV transmission is ONLY an INFECTION whereas AIDS is a disease developed by a person living with HIV. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection and it can take as long as 10 YEARS.
The four major routes of HIV transmission are unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated needles, breast milk, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth.
HIV (virus) can transmit from one body to another ONLY by Blood or Semen.
It can not transmit even through Saliva. If HIV-infected patient coughs or smooches and another person is exposed to that, the virus still can not transmit because concentration of virus particles in sputum is almost nil & exposure to air anyway kills virus in fraction of seconds.
Exposure of less than 1 second in air kills the HIV.
If an HIV-infected person gets an injury and he is bleeding, the virus can transmit to another person only if another person has a cut/wound in his body & that too when blood from both person comes in contact with each other.
Many people continue to live healthy, happy lives more than 10 years after testing positive for HIV. The bottom line is that testing positive for HIV is not a death sentence. Treating body well, following doctor's instructions and maintaining good mental health are simple steps one can take to manage his health.
An HIV positive test result does not mean that a person has AIDS. HIV transmission is ONLY an INFECTION whereas AIDS is a disease developed by a person living with HIV. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection and it can take as long as 10 YEARS.
The four major routes of HIV transmission are unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated needles, breast milk, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth.
HIV (virus) can transmit from one body to another ONLY by Blood or Semen.
It can not transmit even through Saliva. If HIV-infected patient coughs or smooches and another person is exposed to that, the virus still can not transmit because concentration of virus particles in sputum is almost nil & exposure to air anyway kills virus in fraction of seconds.
Exposure of less than 1 second in air kills the HIV.
If an HIV-infected person gets an injury and he is bleeding, the virus can transmit to another person only if another person has a cut/wound in his body & that too when blood from both person comes in contact with each other.
Many people continue to live healthy, happy lives more than 10 years after testing positive for HIV. The bottom line is that testing positive for HIV is not a death sentence. Treating body well, following doctor's instructions and maintaining good mental health are simple steps one can take to manage his health.
