Causes of HIV and AIDS
Introduction
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, can be transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. It is most often passed from person to person during sexual contact. However, men who have sex with men (MSM) and injection drug users are also at risk for contracting HIV. The risk of infection is higher when you have unprotected sex with someone who has HIV or is suspected of having it in their body
How do people get infected with HIV?
- HIV is spread through body fluids, such as blood, semen and vaginal fluid.
- HIV can be transmitted through a health care provider or other person who has had blood contact with an infected person’s blood.
- You can also get infected with HIV if you:
- Have unprotected sex with someone who has the virus; or
- Don’t use condoms during sex; or
What causes the body to become resistant to HIV?
There are several ways to become resistant to HIV. The most common way is through the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART includes a combination of drugs that can kill the virus and prevent it from spreading. The drugs work by interfering with how HIV replicates itself in your body, which prevents new infections from occurring.
Another way people become resistant is by developing antibodies against the virus; these antibodies prevent other strains of HIV from infecting you again, but they do not affect your immune system as much as ART would be expected to do so if taken regularly long-term.
How can you prevent getting infected with HIV?
- Use a condom every time you have sex.
- Get tested regularly for HIV and other STIs.
- Avoid sharing needles or other equipment used to inject drugs, prescription pain medications like Oxycontin or hydrocodone (Vicodin), alcohol or other substances that can cause an infection or disease in your body.
- Avoid getting tattoos and piercings done by someone who is not trained in proper sterilization techniques to prevent spreading infections from person to person during tattooing or piercing of the skin with needles containing ink/plastic fibers/metal etc., which could lead to transmission of HIV/AIDS through contaminated equipment used during this process.* Avoid getting tattoos or piercings done at home without first seeking professional advice from a qualified practitioner who has been trained on how best practices should be followed when dealing with these procedures.* If possible avoid getting a tattoo over an area where there might be an existing scar tissue so as not cause any damage while still completing the design being drawn on top thereon.”
How much does it cost to have an HIV test in the U.S.?
There are a few ways you can get tested for HIV and AIDS:
- You can go to the doctor’s office and get a blood test. The cost of this test will depend on how far away you live from your doctor, but it’s typically about $150 for an office visit and an additional $50 or so for any additional tests required (like an HIV antibody test). If your insurance covers this type of visit, then there may be no out-of-pocket costs at all!
- You could also just order home pregnancy tests online instead of going into a doctor’s office—but keep in mind these aren’t as accurate as those done by professionals like physicians or nurses who specialize in prenatal care. Plus if something goes wrong during pregnancy (such as miscarriage), then getting early detection might help prevent further problems down the road when trying again later on after having kids already born successfully into this world already living peacefully together happily ever after with each other forevermore…
If you have questions about how to protect yourself from getting HIV, talk to your doctor right away.
If you have questions about how to protect yourself from getting HIV, talk to your doctor right away. Your doctor can help answer any questions and offer advice on testing and treatment options.
A primary care physician (PCP) is a health care professional who specializes in providing routine medical care for adults and children, including preventive medicine and chronic disease management; family planning services; mental health services; immunizations; oral health care such as dental exams or cleanings; physical exams; nutrition counseling for childhood obesity prevention efforts as well as diabetes management education programs at schools throughout an area’s jurisdiction through community-based organizations like Boys & Girls Club centers which provide afterschool sports programs or Girl Scouts where girls learn skills like cooking lessons while earning badges alongside their friends who attend similar events elsewhere within their own communities.”
Conclusion
Remember, if you have any questions about how to protect yourself from getting HIV, talk to your doctor right away. Your doctor can help you find out what tests are right for you and give advice on how best to prevent HIV.
