Sexually transmitted diseases like HIV and AIDS can ruin the lives of people and affect the health of communities.  Every year, millions of people get infected with this deadly virus, and lead to serious health problems and even death.  Here are some of the ways that you can get infected with HIV.

What is HIV?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that affects the immune system of people infected with it.  Most scientists agree that HIV is the cause of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).  In a report released in 2006 by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, AIDS has killed over 25 million people since it was fist discovered 28 years ago.

Many scientists continue to study the patterns of HIV, and discover cures and treatments for HIV and AIDS.  Governments and health agencies spend a lot of time, money, and effort to prevent the further spread of the disease, which has now reached a pandemic.

Transmission

HIV is transmitted in three ways:

• Sexual transmission.  The most common form of HIV transmission is through unprotected sexual contact.  You can acquire HIV through any form of intimate sexual contact; the virus is often harbored in the mucous membranes of the oral, rectal, and genital region.  There’s also a higher risk of infection for people who engage in promiscuous sexual activity with multiple partners.
• Blood transmission. Blood also carries HIV in infected patients.  HIV may be transmitted when you come into contact with an open wound.  The disease can also be transmitted through the use of infected transfusion tools, tattoo equipment, or the use of syringes.
• Vertical transmission. Many cases of HIV come as a result of vertical transmission, or when an infected woman gets pregnant and transmits the virus to her baby.  HIV infection through vertical transmission can occur while the baby is still in the uterus, during childbirth, or if the baby drinks the milk of an HIV-infected woman.

Prevention

The good news is that HIV is fairly easy to prevent.  Here are three safe sex practices that you should follow if you want to avoid contracting the virus:

• Always use protection when having sex.  Most doctors recommend a condom for safe sex practices.
• Always have yourself checked for any sign of infection by a qualified medical professional.
• Avoid intimate sexual contact with people infected with HIV.

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