Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, commonly known as AIDS, is a severe health condition that significantly impairs the body’s immune system. This leaves the body vulnerable to infections and illnesses. This article clarifies common misunderstandings about AIDS, focusing on its origins and whether it is a genetic condition. Understanding how AIDS develops and spreads is important for public health awareness and prevention.
AIDS: Not Inherited
AIDS is an acquired condition, meaning it is not passed down through genetic inheritance from parents to children. Unlike genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia, which result from inherited DNA variations, AIDS arises from an infection.
AIDS represents the most advanced stage of infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is a virus that specifically targets and damages the immune system, particularly attacking CD4 T cells, a type of white blood cell responsible for fighting infections. If left untreated, the progressive destruction of these immune cells weakens the body’s defenses, leading to AIDS.
Understanding HIV Transmission
Understanding how the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is transmitted is important. HIV spreads through specific bodily fluids from a person with HIV who has a detectable viral load. These fluids include blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. For transmission to occur, the virus in these fluids must enter the bloodstream of an HIV-negative person, often through mucous membranes, open cuts, or by direct injection.
The most common ways HIV is transmitted involve unprotected sexual contact, particularly anal or vaginal sex. Sharing injection drug equipment, such as needles or syringes, also poses a significant risk because these items can contain infected blood. Additionally, HIV can be transmitted from a birthing parent to their child during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding.
Other, less common routes of transmission include accidental needle sticks, primarily a concern for healthcare workers, and historically, through blood transfusions or organ transplants. Due to rigorous screening of blood and organ donations, these methods are now extremely rare. HIV is not transmitted through casual contact, such as hugging, shaking hands, sharing food or utensils, using public restrooms, or through insects like mosquitoes.
Preventing HIV Infection
Preventing HIV infection involves several effective strategies. Consistent and correct use of condoms, both external and internal, remains a highly effective method during sexual activity. These barriers prevent contact with bodily fluids that can transmit the virus, significantly reducing the risk of infection. Avoiding the sharing of needles, syringes, or any other drug injection equipment is also a straightforward and effective prevention measure, as these items can directly introduce infected blood into the bloodstream.
Beyond barrier methods, medical advancements offer additional layers of protection. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, known as PrEP, involves HIV-negative individuals taking a prescribed medicine daily or as an injection to prevent infection if exposed to the virus. When taken consistently, PrEP can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV from sex by approximately 99% and from injection drug use by at least 74%. For emergency situations, post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is a course of medication taken after a possible exposure to HIV. PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure to be effective and is taken for 28 days.
Regular HIV testing is an important step in prevention, as knowing one’s status allows for timely intervention and informed choices. If an individual tests negative, they can utilize prevention tools like PrEP. If a person tests positive for HIV, beginning antiretroviral therapy (ART) is important. Effective ART can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood to an undetectable level, a concept known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U). This means that people with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit the virus to their partners, offering both personal health benefits and a powerful prevention strategy.