The virus attaches itself to immune system cells called CD4 lymphocyte cells, which protect the body against various bacteria, viruses and other germs. Once attached, it enters the CD4 cells and uses it to make thousands of copies of itself.
These copies then leave the CD4 cells, killing them in the process. This process continues until eventually the number of CD4 cells, also called your CD4 count, drops so low that your immune system stops working. Other Resources. Get tailored information about your risk and learn how to protect yourself. Top of Page. More HIV Topics. Follow HIV. But there are powerful tools that can help prevent HIV transmission.
HIV can be transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. However, it is less common because of advances in HIV prevention and treatment.
You are at high risk for getting HIV if you share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment for example, cookers with someone who has HIV. Never share needles or other equipment to inject drugs, hormones, steroids, or silicone.
There is little to no risk of getting HIV from the activities below. HIV is spread only in extremely rare cases by: Having oral sex. The risk is extremely small these days because of rigorous testing of the U. Being bitten by a person with HIV. Each of the very small number of documented cases has involved severe trauma with extensive tissue damage and the presence of blood.
There is no risk of transmission if the skin is not broken. Contact between broken skin, wounds, or mucous membranes and HIV-infected blood or blood-contaminated body fluids. Deep, open-mouth kissing if both partners have sores or bleeding gums and blood from the HIV-positive partner gets into the bloodstream of the HIV-negative partner.
HIV is not spread through saliva. Eating food that has been pre-chewed by a person with HIV. The only known cases are among infants. There are other ways to prevent getting or transmitting HIV through injection drug use and sexual activity.
0コメント