Common Risk Factors of HIV Infection

HIV Aids is a disease that is dreaded by one and all. The fatal nature of the disease as well a the rapidity of transmission makes it one of the most dangerous diseases that the human beings face in modern times.

While there is absolutely no sure shot cure for the disease once it has progressed beyond a certain point, the causes as well as the risk factors have now been understood by the medical professionals. Let us  take a look at some of the commonest ways of transmission.

Sex- Unprotected sex is one of the predominant causes for transmission of HIV. Any mode of sex whether genital, rectal or oral can cause infection. Anal sex poses the greatest risks of all, thereby, making it essential for people indulging in homosexual relationships to take adequate protection while having sex. Oral sex is not entirely safe either as protection is not usually used during this type of sexual act.

STD- The presence of other sexually tranmitted infections heighten the risk of HIV transmission as well. Medical studies have revealed that the presence of syphilis or chancroid actually enhances the risk of contracting HIV infection by as much as four times. Other types of sexually trannsmitted diseases like gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and chlamydia also increase the liklihood of getting infected with HIV if  left untreated.

Blood Transfusions and Needle Sharing- Receiving the blood from an infected donor results in the recipient being infected as well. People requiring intravenous drugs regularly  as well as hemophiliacs and individuals suffering from a variety of blood related problems have an additional risk of contracting HIV infection. Sharing or reusing injection syringes or needles are other major risk factors of HIV too. The World Health Organization has shown that transmission through infected needles and syringes mostly occur in the third world countries instead of the developed countries like the United States of America. People interested in getting their body pierced or tattooed are also required to be careful about the transmission of HIV as well.

Pre Natal- An infected mother can inadvertantly infect her child during pregnancy. This usually occurs during the last few weeks of pregnancy and  during childbirth. However, the possibility of infecting the new born can be averted if the mother undergoes antiretroviral therapy and gives birth by caesarean section.