Transmission of AIDS

Location of AIDS viruses
Fortunately, AIDS is not an airborne virus. AIDS can only be transmitted through bodily fluids. Different body fluids are different in their contagiousness. From most contagious to least contagious body fluids, the order is:
  1. Blood
  2. Semen
  3. Vaginal Secretions
  4. Amniotic Fluid
  5. Cerebral Spinal Fluid
  6. Bone Marrow
  7. Breast Milk
  8. Urine
  9. Feces
  10. Saliva
  11. Tears
  12. Nasal Secretions
Transmission
The most common way that AIDS is contracted is through sexual intercourse (well over half the cases), then through the use of infected needles. A few number of cases results from an infected mother passing the disease to her newborn child, through birth or breast feeding. Before 1985, donors and receivers of blood and blood products experienced infection. After 1985, all blood is tested and all needles are properly sterilized or disposable.

Common Misconceptions
Some people may not be aware exactly how the AIDS virus can be transmitted. Common errors are that the disease can be transmitted by:
  1. Casual Contact
  2. Combs
  3. Toilets
  4. Bugs
  5. Through Air
  6. Sharing Jewelery
  7. Door Knobs

These are just misconceptions. There has never been any evidence of anyone who got HIV from a mosquito or shaking hands with an infected person. Some people think that tatoos are cool and that they are safe because AIDS dies when exposed to air. Although the AIDS virus will die when exposed to air, there is always a little bit of blood left in the tatoo needle. The needle creates a sort of vaccuum that allows HIV to live inside indefinately. All tatoo parlours with licenses have proper needle care, however, there are still some unlicensed parlours around.

Saliva transmission is also a very common misconception. Scientists suggest that perhaps enzymes in saliva prevent transmission. You cannot contract AIDS by kissing but deep kissing, or french kissing is still unadvisable.

Prevention
The only was to cure AIDS is to prevent from getting it in the first place. Abstinence is the best way but condoms are also effective if used correctly. Limiting the number of partners in your life helps lower the spreading of AIDS as well as other STDs. Never share needles with anyone for drugs especially. Find out more about needle exchange programs in your area if you require needles. Infected women are advised not to get pregnant as there is a good chance that the disease will be passed on to the child.
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