HIV is defined as a Human Immunodeficiency Virus, meaning it is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. Without a strong enough immune system the has trouble defending itself from disease and bacteria. Both infections caused by the virus and the virus itself is called HIV.
HIV works by infecting and destroying the major defense organisms of the body, the white blood cells, specifically CD4+ cells. If the loss of CD4+ cells is too great the body will lose its ability to defend itself against infection. The final stages of infection with HIV is called AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). People with AIDS have a low CD4+ cell count and get infections or cancers that are rarely seen in healthy people.
HIV/AIDS can be acquired through many means, three of which will be discussed below.
Hereditary, though the cases of hereditary HIV are diminishing because of medications offered to HIV-positive mothers as a means of preventing the fetus from getting infected. However, it is still possible for an HIV-infected mother to pass the virus directly before birth or during the birthing process, or through breast milk.
Sexual Intercourse, anal, and vaginal intercourse are high-risk activities. In the penis, vagina and anus, HIV may enter through cuts and sores, most of which are unnoticeable, or directly through the mucous membranes. Oral sex is not completely without risks either as there have been reported cases of HIV being transmitted orally. However, compared to other sexual practices oral sex is considered a low-risk practice as the virus cannot survive well in the mouth. The risk of HIV transmission through the throat, gums, and oral membranes is lower than through vaginal or anal membranes.
Sharing injection needles, the sharing of needles or other like tools is considered a high-risk practice as injection needle can pass blood directly from one person to another if shared. HIV exists mainly in the blood so if a person with HIV injects with a needle and then shares it with another person, the second person is at very high risk of contracting the virus.
HIV works by infecting and destroying the major defense organisms of the body, the white blood cells, specifically CD4+ cells. If the loss of CD4+ cells is too great the body will lose its ability to defend itself against infection. The final stages of infection with HIV is called AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). People with AIDS have a low CD4+ cell count and get infections or cancers that are rarely seen in healthy people.
HIV/AIDS can be acquired through many means, three of which will be discussed below.
Hereditary, though the cases of hereditary HIV are diminishing because of medications offered to HIV-positive mothers as a means of preventing the fetus from getting infected. However, it is still possible for an HIV-infected mother to pass the virus directly before birth or during the birthing process, or through breast milk.
Sexual Intercourse, anal, and vaginal intercourse are high-risk activities. In the penis, vagina and anus, HIV may enter through cuts and sores, most of which are unnoticeable, or directly through the mucous membranes. Oral sex is not completely without risks either as there have been reported cases of HIV being transmitted orally. However, compared to other sexual practices oral sex is considered a low-risk practice as the virus cannot survive well in the mouth. The risk of HIV transmission through the throat, gums, and oral membranes is lower than through vaginal or anal membranes.
Sharing injection needles, the sharing of needles or other like tools is considered a high-risk practice as injection needle can pass blood directly from one person to another if shared. HIV exists mainly in the blood so if a person with HIV injects with a needle and then shares it with another person, the second person is at very high risk of contracting the virus.
