Who is at risk?
by Meerat Oza
The HIV virus can be found in blood and bodily fluids, such as semen and vaginal secretions. HIV is transmitted through any unprotected sexual contact with an infected person or by sharing syringes and needles with an infected person. Certain risk factors, however, can increase a person’s chance of contracting HIV.
These include:
- Having unprotected anal, vaginal, or oral sex with multiple partners. Unprotected sex refers to sexual intercourse without the use of latex or polyurethane condoms
- Sharing syringes or needles
- Having other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Having received a blood transfusion or any blood product prior to 1985
- Having sex with a partner that has any of the above listed risk factors
- Being born to a mother who was infected with HIV.
Currently there are an estimated 30 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. In the United States, there are currently 1.1 million people living with the disease, half of which are African-American. HIV/AIDS is one of the leading causes of death for this demographic group. African-Americans at higher risk for HIV include:
- Those who have multiple partners and do not keep track of their partner’s risk factors.
- Those who have other STIs
- Those who live in poverty.
Men who have sex with men are also largely affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2005, 71 percent of all male adults and adolescents infected with HIV were men who had sex with men. Risk factors within this demographic group include:
- Having unprotected anal sex, which is thought to carry a greater risk of transmitting HIV than unprotected vaginal sex
- Having an STI, which can increase the risk of HIV transmission.
The only ways to protect an individual from becoming infected with HIV are to practice safer sex and to avoid sharing needles or syringes with others. Safer sex signifies either abstaining from sex or using protection such as condoms. Safer sex also includes sex between two people who are not infected with HIV, who only have sex with one another, and who do not use injected drugs or share syringes and needles with others. Not having sex is the safest way to avoid contracting HIV. However, by making smart choices when choosing to have sex, individuals can reduce their likelihood of contracting the disease.
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- CDC Reports On Impact Of ART In Preventing HIV And Superinfection Through Sexual Transmission
- Proposed Change To Travel Rules May Allow HIV Infected Individuals To Enter U.S.
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