How Long Can Hiv Survive Outside The Human Body
Generally the fragile nature of the virus prevents it from surviving for a substantial amount of time in the open air. The length of time HIV can survive outside the body is dependent on the amount of HIV present in the body fluid and the conditions the fluid is subjected to.
Note that HIV is fragile and many common substances such as hot liquid, soap, bleach, alcohol, and the gastric juices found within your stomach can destroy the virus.
Your skin is a 100% proof barrier against HIV. The virus cannot enter your skin unless there is an open bleeding wound. If you get blood on your skin, simply wash with water and soap. There is no need to scrub because this might damage the skin.
It is good practice to be careful with any blood spill, because one can never tell if the person it came from has HIV or other blood borne infections. You can safely clean such blood spills with water and Clorox.
Can The Virus Be Transmitted Through Breastfeeding
Yes, HIV is present in infectious amounts in breast milk. HIV can be passed from an HIV infected mother to her baby through breastfeeding. Most HIV+ children in the Caribbean have been infected through mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
This can be prevented when an HIV infected mother does not breastfeed her baby and uses other alternate milk recommended by her doctor. More information on HIV and pregnancy can be found here.
Elton John Aids Foundation: Funding World
The Elton John AIDS Foundation was founded in 1992 by Elton John to end the HIV and AIDS epidemic, after his friend died of AIDS. Today, they are one of the leading independent AIDS organizations in the world.
Their impact and transparency ratings:Charity Navigator gives the Elton John AIDS Foundation a 4-star rating.
We are committed to no more discrimination. No more HIV infections. No more AIDS deaths.
Elton John AIDS Foundation
What they do: The Elton John AIDS Foundation works around the world to end the AIDS epidemic and provide HIV and AIDS relief. For example, their Radian project provides grant money for HIV and AIDS education and prevention in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Other projects, such as Menstar, focuses on HIV diagnosis and testing in Sub-Saharan men. The charity also provided funding during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure that those who are worst affected by HIV and AIDs still had care they needed, despite the lack of resources available during the global pandemic.
What theyve achieved: Today, the Elton John AIDS Foundation is the number one philanthropic funder for HIV and AIDS in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. They are also the 3rd largest funder for HIV/AIDS in Asia and East Asia. Since their founding, they have completed a total of 48 partnership projects that have made impacts around the world. For example, in 2020 they reached 68,000 people in 30 countries with their COVID-19 Emergency Funding.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Hiv/aids
The first signs of HIV infection may be flu-like symptoms:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Mouth ulcers
These symptoms may come and go within two to four weeks. This stage is called acute HIV infection.
If the infection is not treated, it becomes chronic HIV infection. Often, there are no symptoms during this stage. If it is not treated, eventually the virus will weaken your bodys immune system. Then the infection will progress to AIDS. This is the late stage of HIV infection. With AIDS, your immune system is badly damaged. You can get more and more severe infections. These are known as opportunistic infections .
Some people may not feel sick during the earlier stages of HIV infection. So the only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested.
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A Member Of My Family Or Close Friend Of Mine Has Hiv Am I Also At Risk
Although HIV has been transmitted between family members in a household setting, this type of transmission is extremely rare. These transmissions are believed to have resulted from contact between mucous membranes and infected blood. To prevent even such rare occurrences, precautions should be taken in all settings including the home to prevent exposure to the blood of persons who are HIV infected, at risk for HIV infection, or whose infection and risk status are unknown.
For example, gloves should be worn during contact with blood or other body fluids that could possibly contain visible blood, such as urine, faeces, or vomit.
Cuts, sores, or breaks on both the caregivers’ and patients exposed skin should be covered with bandages. Hands and other parts of the body should be washed immediately after contact with blood or other body fluids.
Surfaces soiled with blood should be disinfected appropriately. Practices that increase the likelihood of blood contact, such as sharing of razors and toothbrushes, should be avoided.
Needles and other sharp instruments should be used only when necessary and handled according to recommendations for health care settings. .
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Myth : Theres A Cure For Hiv
While antiretroviral therapy can substantially reduce the amount of HIV in a persons blood, its not a cure. If an HIV-positive person suddenly stops taking their meds, the amount of virus in their blood can skyrocket.
Even skipping doses of the meds can allow HIV to change form and potentially become resistant to the drugs, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
The key to living well with HIV and avoiding transmission to others is to get treatment as early as possible and take those meds daily as prescribed.
Hiv Is Detected With A Blood Test
Blood tests are the most common and reliable tests for HIV. The virus is detected by taking a sample of your blood either with a conventional blood test or a rapid test .There is a short period of time between exposure to HIV and the ability for tests to detect HIV or its antibodies. This is often referred to as the window period between 2 and 12 weeks.
Most tests used in Australia can detect HIV as early as 2 to 4 weeks after infection.
If your blood test shows that HIV or its antibodies are present, you are HIV-positive.
If you have no antibodies in your blood you are HIV-negative. Sometimes negative results might also mean you are in the window period, so you might need a follow-up blood test to make sure.
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What Treatment Is Available For Hiv And Aids
Currently, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. While many people can live a long time with the virus, particularly if they receive treatment, once they develop AIDS, there isnt much that can be done other than treat the infections and diseases that they experience.
When someone is diagnosed with HIV, blood tests are done on a regular basis to see how far the infection is progressing. As long as the blood levels stay healthy and the CD4 levels are high enough, there is usually not much to be done. However, once the CD4 levels begin to drop, treatment with anti-retrovirals may begin in what is called highly active anti-retroviral therapy, or HAART.
These medications are very powerful and can have strong, undesirable side effects. So, the doctors must carefully balance the dosages enough to help fight the HIV progress but not enough that you experience bad effects.
Not all treatments help everyone, so if one treatment doesnt seem to be helping, you will likely be offered other options. This trial-and-error approach isnt uncommon in medicine because everyone responds differently to medications.
Aids Phobia And Conspiracy Theorists
With that being said, there are people who still fear that infection is possible from the unlikely sources, including touching, mosquitos, shared grooming products, and kissing. AIDS phobia, the paralyzing and unreasonable fear of HIV, plays a huge part in these beliefs. At other times, a person may prescribe to a contrarian view about HIV or are simply misinformed about HIV in general.
For these individuals, counseling with a qualified professional may be needed as well as psychotherapy for those experiencing extreme anxiety or depression. Additionally, if the person is at risk of acquiring HIV or in a mixed-status relationship, doctors may want to consider prescribing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis a type of therapy that can reduce the risk of HIV by more than 90%.
HIV Doctor Discussion Guide
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If I Have Sex With A Commercial Sex Worker Will I Get Hiv
Unprotected sex places you at a high risk of contracting the virus whether it is with a commercial sex worker or anybody else. Statistics from the Caribbean and several other parts of the world have shown that there is a higher prevalence or occurrence of HIV in commercial sex workers . Therefore by having unprotected sex with a commercial sex worker the risk of contracting HIV is high.
How Do You Bring This Up To Other Current Or Potential Partners
Ideally, youll have the convo at a time and place thats private and free of interruptions.
Keep it simple and to the point, and be willing to answer their questions honestly. Let them know what youre doing about it, like taking PEP, and when youre supposed to get your results.
Be prepared that they might not be comfortable with getting intimate until you know your status, and respect their decision.
If youre gonna get busy, there are plenty of precautions you and your sexual partner can take to reduce the risk of HIV.
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Myth : Hiv And Aids Are The Same Thing
We get it: HIV and AIDS have been lumped together for so long that many people assume theyre the same thing.
But lets get the facts straight. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, while AIDS is a condition that can develop after HIV has caused serious damage.
You can live with HIV and stay healthy for decades without ever developing AIDS, as long as you get treatment. Otherwise, HIV can progress to AIDS in three stages, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention :
Once upon a time, HIV was sort of seen as a death sentence because of that progression to AIDS. But thanks to treatment options that have been developed over the years, most people with HIV never reach a late-stage infection and often have long, healthy lives.
Can I Infect My Unborn Child If I Am Positive
Women with HIV can transmit the virus to their fetus. However, the use of special drugs, during pregnancy and at birth, can help reduce the transmission of HIV from mother to child.
For this reason it is important that every pregnant woman takes an HIV antibody-test. Medicines that reduce the chance of infection for the child are available for all pregnant women that are HIV infected and live on St. Maarten. It does not matter if you are insured, non-insured, legal or illegal on the island. Sometimes it is advised to repeat this test later during the pregnancy. Steps to prevent HIV transmission to the baby can be taken even if very late in the pregnancy.
For additional information you can check with your doctor or Dr. van Osch at Union Road Medical Clinic. More information on HIV and pregnancy can be found here.
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Get Tested For Viruses That Cause Hepatitis Ask Your Hiv Provider Whether You Need A Vaccine For Hepatitis A Or Hepatitis B Start Treatment For Hepatitis B Or C If Necessary
- Average score: 4.41
- Percentage voting 5: 55%
- Percentage voting 4 or 5: 91%
Hepatitis virus infection is common in people with HIV because hepatitis viruses and HIV are transmitted in the same ways. Infection with a hepatitis virus has a great impact on HIV treatment and overall care.,
Your HIV provider will probably test you for hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis A, B, and C . If you dont already have HAV or HBV, they can often be prevented by vaccines. Even if you do not feel symptoms of hepatitis, these viruses are damaging your liver. Alcohol and recreational drugs can increase liver injury caused by hepatitis viruses.
Treatment options for HBV and HCV have improved greatly in the past several years. Treating hepatitis viruses in people with HIV requires careful planning and close monitoring. Do not stop treatment for HBV or HCV on your own.
Pregnant women can pass a hepatitis virus to the fetus.
Tell your current and former sex partners and needle-sharing partners if you have hepatitis virus infection and suggest that your partners get tested for hepatitis viruses.
References
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Am I At Risk Of Becoming Infected With Hiv When Visiting The Doctor Or Dentist
Transmission of HIV in a health care setting is extremely rare. All health professionals are required to follow infection control procedures when caring for any patient. These procedures are called Universal Precautions for infection control. They are designed to protect both patients and health care professionals from the transmission of blood borne diseases such as Hepatitis B and HIV.
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Get A Viral Load Test When You Start Care And Regularly Thereafter Regardless Of When You Start Antiretroviral Therapy
- Average score: 3.87
- Percentage voting 5: 39%
- Percentage voting 4 or 5: 65%
US authorities on antiretroviral therapy strongly recommend viral load testing before antiretroviral therapy begins and routinely during treatment. The panel notes that viral load is the most important indicator of response to antiretroviral therapy serves as a surrogate marker for treatment response and can be useful in predicting clinical progression.
Reference
Establishing The Conditions For Hiv Transmission
It’s important to always remember that there are four conditions that must be met in order for HIV transmission to take place:
Based on these conditions, the likelihood of HIV transmission by kissing is not only considered low but pretty much near impossible.
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Can Aids Be Transmitted Through Saliva
Probably the worst answer. You can receive through tears andsaliva, BUT the chances are less than 0.1%
To become infected with HIV you must get a sufficient quantityof the virus into your body. Saliva does contain HIV, but the virusis only present in very small quantities and as such cannot causeHIV infection.
Unless both partners have large open sores in their mouths, orseverely bleeding gums, there is no transmission risk frommouth-to-mouth kissing.
HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host, except understrictly controlled laboratory conditions. HIV does not survivewell in the open air, and this makes the possibility of this typeof environmental transmission remote. In practice no environmentaltransmission has been recorded.
This means that HIV cannot be transmitted through spitting,sneezing, sharing glasses, cutlery, or Musical Instruments.
You also cant be infected in Swimming Pools, showers or bysharing washing facilities or toilet seats.
Can You Contract Hiv From Saliva
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Posted by Dr. Julian Ng on Feb 23, 2015 in HIV |
This topic aims to show ways in which HIV can and cannot be transmitted. It ties in with a recently published topic found here http://www.drtanandpartners.com/how-does-hiv-enter-the-body/.
This topic will be split into 3 parts Definite ways of HIV transmission, theoretical ways of transmission, and no way of transmission.
Bear in mind that in order for HIV to be transmitted fluid from a positive person has to come into contact with the negative person. Semen and blood hold high loads of the virus but saliva and vaginal fluid hold very little.
According to Singapore Ministry of Health UPDATE ON THE HIV/AIDS SITUATION IN SINGAPORE 2014.
Definite ways of HIV transmission (risk will be listed as risk per 10000 so 1/10000 means that for every 10000 people who engage in that activity, 1 person will become infected.
- Blood transfusion 9250/10000 .
- Receptive penile-vaginal sexual intercourse 8/10000
- Insertive penile-vaginal sexual intercourse 4/10000
- Receptive and insertive oral sexual intercourse low .
Theoretical ways of HIV transmission:
No risk of HIV transmission:
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