Is AIDS a sexually transmitted disease?

Written by Xie Ming Feng

Dermatology

Updated on September 29, 2024

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AIDS is caused by the infection of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as HIV, which leads to significant immune deficiency characterized by the disease. The main route of transmission is through sexual contact. It spreads quickly and has a relatively high mortality rate. Currently, there is no effective cure, making it one of the major lethal infectious sexually transmitted diseases in humans.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

36sec

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Can masturbation lead to AIDS?

Masturbating alone cannot lead to HIV infection; HIV requires a source of transmission. Without a source, HIV cannot arise out of nowhere. The HIV virus mainly exists in the bodily fluids of those infected, including blood, vaginal secretions, cervical mucus, breast milk, etc. In fact, if the skin is intact, there usually aren't significant amounts of the virus on the hands. Therefore, masturbating someone else cannot result in HIV transmission. Similarly, an uninfected individual masturbating will not contract HIV, as there is no source of the virus.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

45sec

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Is AIDS a terminal illness?

AIDS is not a terminal disease. AIDS patients undergoing systematic and standardized long-term antiretroviral therapy can suppress the virus to undetectable levels over the long term, preventing damage to the immune system or allowing an already damaged immune system to gradually recover to a state close to normal. Long-term antiviral therapy can maintain the body's indicators at essentially normal levels, making it unlikely to experience opportunistic infections or opportunistic tumors, and it is possible to live a normal lifespan. It is crucial for AIDS patients to receive timely and correct treatment, including long-term antiviral therapy.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

34sec

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What are the methods to block AIDS?

The prevention of HIV can be done through medication or by using condoms. When engaging in sexual activities, if it is unclear whether the other party is infected with HIV, it is crucial to use a condom. The quality of the condom should be good. Additionally, when using a condom, it must be worn correctly to cover the genitals. Besides using condoms, if unprotected high-risk behaviors occur, it is necessary to take HIV antiretroviral drugs as soon as possible after the behavior, and no later than 72 hours afterwards.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng

Dermatology

48sec

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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 Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

38sec

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Can AIDS be transmitted in just one exposure?

Regarding AIDS, it is generally difficult to contract, unless through transfusion. If blood containing the HIV virus is transfused, then the risk in one occurrence is about 90%-100%. Other methods, such as vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, needle stick injuries, and mother-to-child transmission, have a relatively low probability of infection per occurrence. The risk of typical vaginal intercourse is below 0.1% per occurrence, whereas the risk of anal intercourse is slightly higher, around 1%-3%. AIDS is mainly transmitted sexually.