HIV Testing Introduction

HIV Testing Introduction

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV destroys the body’s immune system and leads to AIDS. People with AIDS develop many diseases and “opportunistic” infections (such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, cancer, and skin infections) that ultimately lead to death. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. Prevention is critical. If you have been exposed to the HIV virus in any number of ways, you can be tested to see if you have the HIV antibodies.

• How HIV is transmitted
  
  
  • The HIV virus can be transmitted by unprotected sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex), sharing needles, transfused blood products, mother to newborn (30% risk), and occupational needlestick exposures. From the minute the HIV enters the body, the virus begins replicating at a rate of 10 billion new specimens per day.
  
  
  
  • Some 90% of all new HIV infections occur in developing countries, such as in Africa and Asia, where the vast majority of cases are transmitted by sexual relations between men and women (heterosexual intercourse).
  
  
  
  • In the United States, the vast majority of cases are known to have been transmitted by homosexuals and IV drug abusers. Among homosexuals, it appears that the receptive partner during anal intercourse is placed at highest risk for disease transmission. Heterosexual transmission is on the rise from 5% in 1980 to 8% currently. Among heterosexuals, male-to-female transmission is much more likely to occur than female-to-male transmission. Among women with HIV, heterosexual contact is the most common source of infection.