Can you get AIDS from oral sex?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Generally speaking, it is possible to contract HIV through oral sex. If the skin and mucous membranes of the areas involved are intact and there are no wounds, then the chance of infection is relatively small. However, if the skin and mucous membranes of the contact areas are damaged or have wounds, then the risk of infection significantly increases.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How long does it take for AIDS to manifest?

After the human body becomes infected with the HIV virus, 50%-70% of people may exhibit symptoms similar to the common cold, such as fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle and joint pain, about two weeks later. There can also be generalized swelling of the lymph nodes, the appearance of maculopapular rashes, and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Generally, these symptoms will disappear after about a month, and then a symptom-free infection period follows, which can last from 1 to 10 years. Subsequently, the individual enters the AIDS phase. During the AIDS phase, various types of infections erupt, including bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections, and even concurrent malignant tumors, all of which can lead to death.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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When does AIDS occur?

About half a month after being initially infected with HIV, 50%-70% of people will experience symptoms similar to those of a cold, including headache, fever, sore throat, pain in muscles and joints, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of lymph nodes throughout the body, or the appearance of maculopapular rashes on the skin. These symptoms will all disappear within about a month, after which the individual will enter a latent period that generally lasts from 1 to 10 years, before progressing to the AIDS phase. Once in the AIDS phase, various symptoms can occur at any time throughout the body.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Where to get tested for AIDS?

If you suspect that you have contracted HIV, you should immediately go to a regular medical institution or a nationally designated hospital to undergo an initial HIV antibody screening test. If the initial screening test result is positive, you will need to further go to a disease control center or a nationally designated hospital for HIV testing to undergo further confirmatory tests. If the confirmatory test is also positive, then you can generally be diagnosed with HIV infection.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Which test determines AIDS?

To confirm AIDS infection, initial screening is conducted for HIV antibodies. If the result is positive, further confirmatory tests must be performed at a disease control center. Only if the confirmatory tests are positive can a diagnosis of AIDS be made. Therefore, confirmatory tests are essential to determine the presence of HIV infection. Once an HIV infection is confirmed, it is crucial to start timely and scientifically sound antiretroviral therapy, as well as to ensure proper rest and maintain good health.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Is gonorrhea AIDS?

Gonorrhea is not AIDS. Gonorrhea is a disease caused by the infection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae primarily in the genital area, commonly manifesting as painful urination, urinary urgency, discharge from the urethra, and fever. It is a type of sexually transmitted disease. AIDS, on the other hand, is caused by infection with the HIV virus, which destroys the body's immune system, leading to a severe decline in immune functions and thereby causing a series of related opportunistic infections. The pathogen of AIDS is the HIV virus. AIDS is difficult to cure, whereas gonorrhea can be completely cured.