Transmission of Aids
Transmission of AidsINTRODUCTION
As we all know, AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a fatal infection caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The virus attacks the body's immune system and, over a period of time, destroys it. This disables the body's ability to fight off infections by other germs and the growth of cancers, eventually resulting in death.
HOW IS HIV SPREAD?
HIV is spread through the exchange of bodily fluids, which contain a high large amount of HIV such as blood, semen and vaginal secretions. The most common means of transmission is through unprotected sex and the sharing of dirty needles among drug users. Although HIV can be found in body substances such as saliva, tears and urine - the quantities in which they are found in are so low that they are relatively harmless.
WHO ARE AT RISK OF GETTING AIDS?
Over 500 Singaporeans have been tested positive for HIV (up to late- 1996), however, this is probably only the tip of the iceberg as there are many others who are infected but do not know that they are. In the 1980s, the majority of infections in Singapore were homosexual or bisexual men; but now there are many infections seen among heterosexual men and women. Heterosexual sex is now the main method of transmission in Singapore and over 75% of infections throughout the world are acquired through heterosexual intercourse.
Not everybody who has sex with an infected person will get infected. However, the risks increase sharply in the presence of other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) i.e. gonorrhea, herpes and syphilis or when the infected person has symptoms of late HIV infection. Females have an eight times greater risk of catching the infection from an infected male than vice versa whereas anal intercourse without condoms carry the highest...
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