In the United States over 1,039,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS. But many who are already HIV+ have never been tested and because the symptoms are so often “flu-like”, do not even realize that they are infected and pass the virus on to someone else. Worldwide, it is estimated that almost 40 million people are infected along including 2.2 million children. Africa alone has over 34 million who are HIV+, while India and Asia have almost 5 million!
HIV is not transmitted by touch or mosquitoes or through the air. The virus is actually very difficult to pass-on except through body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluid, semen, or breast milk. Tears, saliva, and urine in pregnant women all have a protein, which kills most of the virus. Persons infected with HIV often feel sick with flu-like symptoms shortly after being infected. And because the test for HIV infection measures the antibodies produced in response to infection, one should be tested between 3 to 6 months after contact.
Those most likely to be infected today are people who are sexually active with multiple partners; users of illegal intravenous drugs sharing infected needles, and babies born to nursing mothers who are HIV+. Persons who are infected with HIV may transmit the virus to other persons and not know they are carrying it. But, if someone knows that they are HIV+, it is illegal and punishable with jail-time to have sex with someone and not notify their partner that they are HIV+.
Condoms do decrease the risk of transmission but according to condom manufacturers and a United Nations study are 4% to 13.9% ineffective if not properly used. A faithful and monogamous relationship in marriage with an uninfected person is the most effective way of preventing HIV infection.
