Contents:
- Medical Video: How Can HIV be Transmitted? - HIV Transmission Myths Busted!
- Is it possible that HIV transmission occurs through the surface of inanimate objects?
- How long does the HIV virus survive outside the body?
- Why can't the HIV virus survive outside the body?
Medical Video: How Can HIV be Transmitted? - HIV Transmission Myths Busted!
HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) attacks and kills important cells in the immune system. People who are infected with HIV may not show any symptoms for years. Understanding how to transmit or spread HIV is important, to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones. Unfortunately a lot of incorrect information is related to HIV transmission. Here are some incorrect myths related to HIV transmission.
Is it possible that HIV transmission occurs through the surface of inanimate objects?
Many people are afraid that physical contact or kissing someone who has HIV can cause HIV transmission. In fact, the HIV virus does not live on the skin and cannot last long outside the body. Holding hands, hugging, sitting next to someone who is HIV positive, does not cause HIV transmission.
Besides you too not will get HIV if:
- Being in one room and breathing the same air as PLWHA (people with HIV / AIDS).
- Swim together with PLWHA.
- Sleeping one bed with ODHA (without sexual intercourse).
- Drink from a glass that has been used by PLWHA.
- Sharing eating or bathing equipment with PLWHA.
- Using gym equipment together with PLWHA.
- Touching items that have been touched by PLWHA.
- Alternately using the toilet with PLWHA.
- Cuddle, kiss (with mouth closed, aka kiss), kiss on the cheek, and shake hands with ODHA.
HIV transmission only occurs through the exchange of certain body fluids that contain high concentrations of HIV such as blood, semen, breast milk, and vaginal and anal fluid. HIV is transmitted when one of the fluids enters through a mucous membrane or an open wound.
In other words, if the ODHA body fluids mentioned earlier touch other people's dry skin, HIV will not be transmitted. New HIV can be transmitted through contact between ODHA body fluids that contain viruses with mucous membranes and the blood of healthy people.
In addition, other ODHA body fluids including sweat, saliva, and tears will not transmit HIV.
Although kissing cannot transmit HIV, kissing with an open mouth can be a risk factor for infection if the two people both have canker sores, mouth sores, or bleeding gums. However, in the whole world this case is very rare.
How long does the HIV virus survive outside the body?
Once the HIV virus is outside the body, HIV usually cannot last long. In contact with the above-mentioned ODHA body fluids that have been outside the body generally not risky transmit HIV.
The HIV virus can only last for several days or weeks in the laboratory with conditions that are correct or in accordance with the human body. Following are the principles that need to be understood about the chances of the HIV virus surviving:
- HIV is sensitive to high temperatures. Research has shown that HIV will die at hot temperatures, which is above 60 degrees Celsius.
- HIV is better able to survive in the laboratory at cold temperatures, which is about 4 to -70 degrees Celsius.
- HIV is very sensitive to changes in pH levels or acid levels. PH levels below 7 (acid) or above 8 (alkaline) do not support HIV survival.
- HIV can survive in dry blood in the laboratory at room temperature for 5 to 6 days, but it must be with a supportive pH level.
However, the above principles are concluded in a study that still needs to be explored again.
Why can't the HIV virus survive outside the body?
HIV causes AIDS because this virus destroys important immune cells, namely CD4 T cells. However, how exactly these cells are killed is not known with certainty.
Every day, the body produces millions of CD4 T cells to help maintain immunity and fight viruses and bacteria. Once HIV is in your body, the virus can multiply, increase the ability to kill CD4 T cells. Then, infected cells dominate healthy T cells.
T cells can not survive anywhere other than in the human body. HIV cannot live without the blood or certain body fluids (mentioned above) that host it. Thus, HIV cannot survive outside the human body or without T cells, including the surface of inanimate objects such as door handles, gym equipment, sheets, or toilet seats.
