Can AIDS be transmitted in just one exposure?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on May 28, 2025
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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.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How do you get AIDS?

AIDS, also known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is primarily caused by the HIV virus. The virus is mainly found in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and breast milk of people infected with AIDS. It is primarily transmitted through the following three pathways: sexual contact, blood and blood products, and mother-to-child transmission. If one is infected with AIDS, it is mainly through these three routes.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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How long does it take to detect HIV?

Actually, the diagnosis of AIDS is mainly through the testing of AIDS antibodies or AIDS nucleic acids, and the antibody test for AIDS needs to be conducted after the window period. Generally, the window period for AIDS is about four weeks, and the test for AIDS antibodies or AIDS nucleic acids should be conducted after four weeks. If the result is positive, then it can be diagnosed. Further confirmation experiments at the disease control center are needed if the AIDS confirmation test is positive to diagnose AIDS. Once diagnosed with AIDS, treatment against the AIDS virus is required.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Will touching AIDS-infected blood lead to transmission?

If the skin is intact, generally, contact with the blood of an HIV-infected person will not transmit the virus. However, if the skin is damaged and comes into contact with the blood of an HIV-infected person, there is a possibility of transmission. Additionally, the mucous membranes of the body, such as in the eyes, inside the mouth, and various cavities, can potentially get infected with HIV if they come into contact with HIV-infected blood. If these mucous membranes are damaged, the risk of HIV infection significantly increases.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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AIDS is divided into several stages.

AIDS is clinically divided into four stages: acute infection, asymptomatic infection, pre-AIDS stage, and AIDS stage. The acute infection stage refers to the period starting about half a month after the human body is infected with HIV, during which symptoms similar to the common cold appear, and these symptoms generally disappear after a month. Around two months, HIV antibodies can appear in the human body, at which point these antibodies can be detected through blood testing. Thereafter, the individual enters the asymptomatic infection stage, which typically lasts 7-8 years, though some people may reach 10 years. Afterwards, the pre-AIDS stage begins due to the decline in immune function, with symptoms such as fatigue, night sweats, and weight loss appearing, eventually progressing to the AIDS stage.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Is AIDS scary?

AIDS, also known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, can be understood literally as a sexually transmitted disease characterized primarily by severe immune deficiency caused by HIV infection. Once it develops into AIDS, it ultimately leads to death due to various opportunistic infections and secondary tumors. It spreads very quickly and has a high mortality rate. Currently, there is no effective treatment, making it one of the main lethal infectious diseases in humans. Therefore, AIDS is currently considered terrifying.