HIV Transmission Risks Vary Significantly: Key Activities and Prevention Measures
HIV transmission risks vary significantly by activity. While some practices have negligible risk, others remain high. Prevention strategies have proven effective in reducing new infections in several countries.
HIV is primarily transmitted through bodily fluids like blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. Oral sex, biting, spitting, and sharing sex toys pose a negligible risk. However, receptive anal intercourse with an HIV-positive partner carries the highest risk (138 per 10,000 exposures), followed by insertive anal intercourse (11 per 10,000 exposures).
Prevention measures are crucial. Using condoms regularly and correctly can reduce transmission risk by up to 80%. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) can further decrease risk by up to 92% and 93% respectively, when used consistently. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can help prevent infection after exposure, but must be initiated within 72 hours.
Direct blood transfusions from HIV-positive donors once posed a high risk, but strict screening measures since 1985 have made blood transfusions low-risk. Other low-risk activities include oral sex, sharing sex toys, and using drugs with shared needles (63 per 10,000 exposures). Accidental needlesticks in healthcare settings carry a risk of 23 per 10,000 exposures.
Several countries have successfully reduced HIV infections through comprehensive strategies. Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Thailand, and Ukraine saw reductions of 50% or more in new infections between 2001 and 2012. These countries combined public education, routine HIV testing, mother-to-child transmission prevention, and access to antiretroviral treatments to achieve these reductions.
Understanding HIV transmission risks and implementing prevention strategies are vital. While some activities pose negligible risk, others remain high. Comprehensive approaches, as seen in several countries, have proven effective in reducing new infections. Prompt action, including PEP within 72 hours of exposure, can help prevent HIV infection.
