Understanding the risks associated with HIV

Raising awareness of high-risk situations to promote safer behaviour

What is HIV?

HIV stands for 'Human Immunodeficiency Virus'. It is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), i.e., an infection that is transmitted during sexual activity, for example chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis.

When the HIV virus enters the body, it attacks the immune system and gradually weakens it (over a period spanning several years). Without treatment, the virus eventually destroys vital immune defence mechanisms and the carrier develops what are known as 'opportunistic' infections, which are often serious and sometimes life-threatening.

Today, HIV infection is considered to be a chronic disease that can be controlled with medication. HIV infection cannot be cured and requires lifelong treatment. The treatment prevents the virus from replicating (i.e., reproducing) and renders it undetectable, so that it is no longer dangerous either for the carrier or for others. But it is still present and the treatment must not be discontinued.

HIV and STIs can be contracted at any age during unprotected sexual activity. HIV and STIs can be contracted by anyone who is sexually active, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity.

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV can be transmitted in three ways:

  1. Sexually transmitted
    The HIV virus is transmitted by vaginal, anal or oral penetration during unprotected sexual intercourse. The risk of contamination varies depending on the type of sexual intercourse, the presence of other sexually transmitted infections, the HIV carrier's viral load and the state of the genital or oral mucous membrane.
  2. Transmitted by direct contact with blood
    The HIV virus can be transmitted when sharing syringes, needles or other injection equipment that has been contaminated by an HIV carrier's blood. There is a low risk of contamination in persons receiving medical care with non-sterilised equipment or equipment that has not been properly disinfected. Owing to advances in routine screening and safety protocols, the risk of contracting HIV by blood transfusion is practically non-existent in our countries.
  3. Transmitted during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding
    There is a risk that an HIV-positive mother may contaminate her child during pregnancy (through contact with blood), childbirth (through contact with blood and vaginal secretions) or breastfeeding (through breast milk). With suitable medical support and effective treatment to render the virus undetectable, HIV-positive mothers can give birth to HIV-negative children.

Have I taken a risk that exposed me to HIV infection?

There is a risk of the HIV virus being transmitted from one person to another when the following three conditions are met:

  • The presence of a body fluid containing the HIV virus (blood, sperm or pre-seminal fluid, vaginal secretions, anal secretions, breast milk)
  • A virus entry point (open wound, eyes, nose, mouth, vagina, penile glans, anus)
  • Contact between the two (fluid + entry point + contact = RISK of HIV transmission)

Risk-free daily habits and best practices to adopt

The HIV virus cannot be transmitted in the following situations:

  • By non-infecting bodily fluids: tears, sweat, saliva, coughing, sneezing or insect bites.
  • During everyday interactions with others: shaking hands, kissing, massage or masturbation (provided there are no open wounds).
  • By sharing spaces or objects: sleeping in the same bed, sharing clothes, drinking from the same glass, eating from the same plate, bathing with others or using the same toilet.

Some situations may pose a risk when the basic rules of hygiene are not observed:

  • Blood donations and transfusions: in Luxembourg, these practices are safe due to routine HIV screening and the use of sterile, single-use equipment.
  • Dental care, tattoos and piercings: these procedures are risk-free if the equipment used is sterilised and/or is single-use, and if hygiene standards are strictly adhered to.

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