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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Can AIDS be ruled out after six weeks?

Going to the hospital for HIV screening after six weeks is entirely feasible, as it typically surpasses the window period. However, if you have engaged in high-risk behaviors, we recommend that you get tested again after three months. If there are frequent high-risk behaviors, we advise you to undergo another test at six months to thoroughly rule out HIV.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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How did AIDS originate?

AIDS is primarily contracted through sexual transmission, blood transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. After infection with the HIV virus, it destroys the body's immune function and invades the immune system, leading to a severe decline and defects in immune function. As a result, a series of opportunistic infections and opportunistic tumors may occur. Once AIDS is definitively diagnosed, it requires scientific and reasonable comprehensive treatment including antiretroviral therapy.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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AIDS blood transmission conditions

Actually, the transmission of AIDS requires two conditions to be met simultaneously: first, a sufficient number of active HIV viruses are needed. Second, these sufficient and active HIV viruses must enter fresh blood or a fresh wound. Only when both of these conditions are met, is there a possibility of infection, but it is not a 100% certainty. For example, in the case of needle stick injuries involving needles contaminated with HIV-positive blood, the risk of infecting healthcare workers is about 0.3%.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What are the symptoms of AIDS?

During different stages of HIV infection, there are some varying clinical symptoms. The latency period of HIV, also known as the asymptomatic period, generally has no obvious symptoms, though some individuals may only show enlargement of lymph nodes. During the acute infection stage of HIV, symptoms such as generalized lymph node enlargement, fever, rash, and cough are common. In the late stages of HIV, due to severe deficiencies in immune function, there is a high susceptibility to a variety of opportunistic infections, which can lead to unexplained spontaneous fever, diarrhea, cough, and other symptoms that must be addressed according to the specific circumstances.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Treatment of AIDS

In fact, the treatment of AIDS requires systematic and standardized antiretroviral therapy. Once an HIV infection is confirmed, whether in the early stage, acute phase, or late stage, it is necessary to start antiretroviral therapy as soon as possible. Generally, this involves combining two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors with either a protease inhibitor or an integrase inhibitor, or a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. It is crucial to take the medication long-term and consistently without discontinuation, as stopping the medication can easily lead to a relapse of the condition.