WH AT INCREASES THE RISK OF HIV INFECTION?

WHAT INCREASES THE RISK OF HIV INFECTION?

Syphilis can increase the risk of transmitting HIV. People with syphilis have a higher than average chance of being infected with HIV. Also, syphilis causes large, painless sores. It is easy for someone to be infected with HIV through syphilis sores. Herpes simplex infection (see Fact Sheet 508) also causes sores which assist infection with HIV. An active case of syphilis or herpes increases the amount of HIV in someone’s system and can make it easier for them to pass it on to another person.

Several other factors increase the risk of transmitting HIV, or becoming infected.

• When the HIV-infected person is in the "acute infection" phase (see fact sheet 103), the amount of virus in their blood is very high. This increases the chance that they can pass on the infection. Unfortunately, almost no one knows when they are in this phase of HIV infection. There’s no way to tell by looking at them.
• When either person has a weakened immune system. This could be because of a long-term illness or an active infection like a herpes outbreak, syphilis, or the flu.
• When the uninfected person has open sores that get exposed to infected fluids. These could be cold sores, genital herpes, mouth ulcers, syphilis sores, or other cuts or breaks in the skin.
• When there is exposure to infected blood.
• When the uninfected insertive male partner is not circumcised.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Researchers have developed estimates of the risk of transmission of HIV. These estimates can give you a general idea of which activities are more or less risky. They cannot tell you that any activity is safe, or how many times you can do them without getting infected. The best way to avoid infection is to use a condom correctly and consistently for all sexual activity, and to avoid sharing needles. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, wait 3 months and get tested.