Where did HIV originate from?

Scientists have a number of different theories about the origin of HIV. Many people think HIV was originally a disease found in a distant part of Central Africa and that it started to spread to European countries within the twentieth century. A subspecies of chimpanzees native to west equatorial Africa had been identified as the original source of the virus. The researchers believe that HIV-1 was introduced into the human population when hunters became exposed to infected blood.

Computer models have estimated that the first human infection occurred around the 1930’s, but the earliest known infection of an identified human being dates back to 1959, found in a plasma sample taken from an adult male living in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (known as Belgian Congo within that period of time). How he got infected, no one knows. The analysis of this plasma sample suggested that HIV may have stemmed from a single virus in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s and may have been introduced to humans as early as the 1930’s.

Health researches believed that an infection that was responsive for weakening the immune system and causing the disease and in 1982 they began to term it as “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome” or AIDS. It was in 1983 that researches Luc Montagnier and Robert Gallo discovered the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that leads to HIV.

What’s the cause for AIDS?

AIDS is caused by infection with a virus names Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to blood and sexual contact. HIV can be passed from a pregnant mother to her child during birth and also through breast feeding. HIV infections can lead to full blown AIDS.

How does HIV cause AIDS?

HIV destroys a blood cell which is referred to as CD4+ or in other words certain cells in the immune system which help us fight off diseases. As these cells are being constantly eliminated by HIV and the body as a response to the elimination is constantly replacing then with new cells. But as time goes on the body is no longer able to replace the destroyed cells with new ones. Overtime as the CD4+ cell counts lessens it leaves the body susceptible to AIDS.

Does it take a very long for HIV to cause AIDS?

Prior to 1996 the estimated time for people to progress from HIV to AIDS was 10 years. But this time frame can change from person to person. Currently the average time between HIV infection and the appearance of signs that could lead to AIDS is 8 – 11 years. This again would depend on the individual. The progression time also depends on a person’s health status and their health related behaviors. With a healthy life style developing AIDS related illnesses can take up to 10 – 15 years or sometimes longer.  Medical treatment can prevent can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS.

How well does HIV survive outside the human body?

The HIV virus is very fragile outside the human body. It is unable to service outside its living host. But it can survive at several minutes to several hours on the surface of objects in the environment depending on the environmental factors and situation.  The potency of HIV reduces over time when out of the body. But the virus needs to get into ones blood stream to infect anyone.

After being exposed to the disease, how long should I wait till I get tested for HIV?

Most people will develop detectable antibodies within two to eight weeks the average is 25 days. 97% will develop antibodies in the first three months following the time of their infection. In very rare cases, it can take up to six months to develop antibodies to HIV. Because antibodies do develop at different rates, HIV testing experts recommend HIV testing to be done at 6 weeks after exposure, 3 months after exposure and even some recommend a test 6 months after exposure.

 What are the ways that I can get tested for HIV?

Many places provide testing for HIV AIDS infection. Common testing locations include local health departments, clinics, private doctors, hospitals, and other sites set up specifically to provide HIV testing.  If you have questions about HIV or AIDS, it is important to seek testing at a place that also provides counseling about HIV prevention and AIDS. They can answer any questions you might have about risky behaviors and ways you can protect yourself and others in the future. In addition, they can help you understand the meaning of the test results and describe what HIV/AIDS-related resources are available in the local area.

How does HIV pass from one person to another?

HIV AIDS can be passed from one person to another by having unprotected sex with a person who has HIV AIDS, By receiving an infected blood transfusion or having medical treatment using equipment that is not properly cleaned between patients, By sharing needles and syringes with someone with HIV/AIDS, It may also be passed from a woman with HIV/AIDS to her baby. You cannot get HIV from hugging, kissing, sneezing, coughing, sharing baths or towels, from swimming pools, toilet seats or from sharing cups, plates or cutlery.

Does HIV pass through Body Fluids? If so which Body Fluids transmit HIV?

Yes it does. Blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, and other body fluids containing blood taken from HIV AIDS-positive people can contain high concentrations of HIV. The virus also might be present in the fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord, fluid surrounding bone joints and fluid surrounding a fetus of an HIV-positive pregnant woman. HIV has been found in the saliva and tears of some HIV-positive people but in very low quantities.

Can HIV get passed through kissing?

Kissing such as on the cheek or lightly on the lips carries no risk of transmitting HIV AIDS. In deep kissing there is a small risk hence the tendency of getting infected might increase greatly if one of the persons has soar (wounds) in the mouth

Does HIV pass through oral sex?

Yes it is possible for either partner to become infected with HIV through performing or receiving oral sex. There have been a few cases of HIV transmission from performing oral sex. While no one knows exactly what the degree of risk is, evidence suggests that the risk is less than that of unprotected anal or vaginal sex.

If the person performing oral sex has HIV, blood from their mouth may enter the body of the person receiving oral sex through the lining of the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis) the lining of the vagina or cervix the lining of the anus or directly into the body through small cuts or open sores.

If the person receiving oral sex has HIV, their blood semen (cum), pre seminal fluid (pre cum), or vaginal fluid may contain the virus. Cells lining the mouth of the person performing oral sex may allow HIV to enter their body.
The risk of HIV transmission increases if the person performing oral sex has cuts or sores around or in their mouth or throat.

Does HIV pass through anal sex?

Yes. In fact, unprotected (without a condom) anal sex (intercourse) is considered to be very risky behavior. It is possible for either sex partner to become infected with HIV during anal sex. HIV can be found in the blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, or vaginal fluid of a person infected with the virus. In general, the person receiving the semen is at greater risk of getting HIV because the lining of the rectum is thin and may allow the virus to enter the body during anal sex. However, a person who inserts his penis into an infected partner also is at risk because HIV can enter through the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis) or through small cuts, abrasions, or open sores on the penis.

Does HIV pass through vaginal sex?

Yes, it is possible to get HIV through from vaginal sex. In fact, in much of the world it is the most common way the virus is transmitted. HIV can be found in the blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, or vaginal fluid of a person infected with the virus. The lining of the vagina can tear and allow HIV to enter the body. Direct absorption of HIV through the mucous membranes that line the vagina also is a possibility. Through vaginal sex the male is at less risk for HIV transmission than is the female. However, HIV can enter the body of the male through his urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis) or through small cuts or open sores on the penis, making infection with HIV possible. The risk of HIV infection increases if you or your partner has a sexually transmitted disease (STD)

Are their similarities or a connection between HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases?

People often ask if there is a connection between other sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. There is a connection between the two. Take a look at the answer to this very good question.
Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can increase a person's risk of becoming infected with HIV, whether the STD causes open sores or breaks in the skin (e.g., syphilis, herpes, chancroid) or does not cause breaks in the skin (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea).
If the STD infection causes irritation of the skin, breaks or sores may make it easier for HIV to enter the body during sexual contact. Even when the STD causes no breaks or open sores, the infection can stimulate an immune response in the genital area that can make HIV transmission more likely.
In addition, if an HIV-infected person also is infected with another STD, that person is three to five times more likely than other HIV-infected persons to transmit HIV through sexual contact.
Not having (abstaining from) sexual intercourse is the most effective way to avoid STDs, including HIV. For those who choose to be sexually active, the following HIV prevention activities are highly effective

Can I get HIV through body piercing or tattoos?

There is very high risk of when getting HIV when having a tattoo, if new set of tools are not used on each person. Since there will always be a tendency of blood stain when a tattoo is being impressed on someone, HIV can easily pass from the blood of an infected tattoo client to an uninfected person, if the same materials are being used for their services.

Would a bite transmit HIV?

In 1997 CDC published findings from a state health department investigation of an incident that suggested blood to blood transmission of HIV by a human bite. There have been other reports in the medical literature in which HIV appeared to have been transmitted by a bite. Severe trauma with extensive tissue tearing and damage and presence of blood were reported in each of these instances. Biting is not a common the way of transmitting HIV. In fact, there are numerous reports of bites that did not result in HIV infection.

HIV is a virus that infects humans and thus cannot be transmitted to or carried by non human animals. The only exception to this is a few chimpanzees in laboratories that have been artificially infected with HIV. Because HIV is not found in non human animals it is not possible for HIV to be transmitted from an animal bite such as from a dog or cat.

Can I get HIV by hugging or shaking the hands of a person who is HIV positive or using the same toilet or the same drinking glass of a person who is infected?

No. HIV is not transmitted by day-to-day contact in the workplace, schools, or social settings. You cannot become infected from a toilet seat, drinking glasses, food, etc. A small number of cases of transmission have been reported in which a person became infected with HIV as a result of contact with blood or other body secretions from an HIV-infected person in the household.
Although contact with blood and other body substances can occur in households, transmission of HIV is rare in this setting. However, persons infected with HIV and persons providing home care for those who are HIV-infected should be fully educated and trained regarding appropriate infection control techniques.

Do mosquitoes carry HIV? Can I get HIV from a mosquito?

Studies conducted by the CDC and elsewhere have shown no evidence of HIV transmission through mosquitoes or any other insects -- even in areas where there are many cases of AIDS and large populations of mosquitoes. When an insect bites a person it injects its own saliva into the person, not a previously bitten person's blood. HIV does not reproduce and does not live long inside an insect. Insect mouth parts only retain very small amounts of blood and insects normally do not travel from one person to another immediately after ingesting blood

Can I get infected with HIV when playing sports?

There are no documented cases of HIV being transmitted during participation in sports. The very low risk of transmission during sports participation would involve sports with direct body contact in which bleeding might be expected to occur.
If someone is bleeding, their participation in the sport should be interrupted until the wound stops bleeding and is both antiseptically cleaned and securely bandaged. There is no risk of HIV transmission through sports activities where bleeding does not occur.