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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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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Infectious Disease
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What are the symptoms of AIDS?

Individuals infected with HIV typically do not exhibit noticeable symptoms during the latency period. During the acute phase, however, symptoms such as rash, fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, and cough are likely to occur. During the active phase of AIDS, due to severe immune deficiency, a series of opportunistic infections and malignancies may occur. These can include persistent coughing, sputum production, diarrhea, weight loss, and unexplained fever. Treatment and diagnosis should be tailored to the specific circumstances, with diagnosis primarily made through testing for HIV antibodies.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Does AIDS transmit through kissing?

AIDS is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, the most common forms being vaginal and anal intercourse. Infection is more likely when there are no protective measures in place, such as not using condoms, through direct contact of the sexual organs. Kissing carries a relatively low risk of infection. However, if the kissing is deep and there are significant mouth ulcers or bleeding gums present, the risk can increase somewhat. Overall, the risk still exists but is very low.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How is AIDS transmitted?

The HIV virus primarily exists in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, ascitic fluid, and bodily fluids of infected persons. There are three main transmission pathways: sexual contact, blood products, and mother-to-child transmission, which include homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual contact; sharing needles for intravenous drug use, invasive medical procedures, tattooing, as well as transmission from an HIV-positive mother through placental delivery and breastfeeding. Normal activities such as handshaking, hugging, polite kissing, sharing meals, and living together do not transmit the HIV virus.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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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.