Causes of HIV

There are 3 main causes of HIV/AIDS infection:

1. Sexual transmission – Through an intimacy sexual contact i.e. vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected sex partner. Besides through direct contact, there is also a chance to get infected by sharing sexual devices.
   
2. Transmission through blood – the most common cases is by sharing syringes and needles or blood transfusion activities.
3. Transmission through pregnancy – from mother to the fetus. Report has shown that over 500 thousands of infants infected HIV during pregnancy or breast feeding.

You will not get HIV though body touching i.e. hugging, shaking hands, sharing cups, sneezing etc. HIV doesn’t spread though air.

Refers to the causes of HIV infections mentioned-above, the risk of getting HIV infection is higher if you are having unprotected sexual intercourse with a HIV positive partners. Homosexual or bisexual whom involved in sexual activities with multiple partners will increase the risk of getting HIV infection. Sharing drugs needles or involve in blood transfusion activities will also get a higher chance of HIV infection.

For a mother who has HIV positive but not getting any treatment is also at a high risk. But if a treatment for HIV carried out during pregnancy will reduce the risk of the infant for HIV infection.

Statistic shows that over 400,000 of HIV transmission case caused by male to male sexual contact, nearly 150,000 through injected drug use and 13,000 through blood transfusion. And the number is still increasing.

The latest report also shown that in globally, more than 10% of the infections are infants who acquire HIV from mothers and 10% from sex between man and drugs injection use.

There is still no cure for HIV infection found at this moment, the best way to reduce the infection of HIV is to is to protect yourself from sexual intercourse i.e. using condoms. Keep yourself away from illegal drug use i.e. sharing needles.