Ways That the HIV Virus Is Not Transmitted
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Applied Immune Deficiency Syndrome), a debilitating and incurable disease. HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing needles with an infected person, or when an infected woman passes it on during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding. There are many ways, however, that it is NOT transmitted.
Blood
You cannot get HIV from giving blood at a blood bank. Though transfusions done in 1985 and earlier did occasionally pass the virus to recipients, current screening techniques in most countries makes that extremely rare. To avoid any possibility of infection, people can bank their own blood for any procedures where receiving it is critical.
Body
Feces and urine do contain trace amounts of HIV but do not pass on the virus: you can still change the diapers of HIV-infected babies without getting the disease. Sweat and tears also do not transmit HIV. Thus sporting competitions with infected people poses no risk, unless cuts somehow transmit blood between athletes.
Objects
HIV is not transmitted through toilet seats, phones, clothing, plates, utensils and other everyday objects. Thus, housekeeping for an infected person can be done without any problems.
Animals
Though mosquitoes can transmit diseases like malaria and yellow fever, they do not pass on HIV. Neither do insects such as bedbugs, fleas and lice. Though animal forms of HIV exist (such as for cats and monkeys), these versions only affect specific species. Thus, you cannot get the disease from cats, dogs, or primates.
Casual contact
Casual contact such as shaking hands, hugging, dry kissing, or swimming in public pools does not pass on HIV. Because HIV is found in saliva, there is a small risk of transmission in French kissing if a person has any cuts in the mouth. Otherwise, stomach acids easily kills the virus.
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