A 37-year-old member asked:
How is the human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) transmitted to heterosexuals?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Martin Raffanswered
Infectious Disease 58 years experience
Same as heterosex: Hiv is transmitted by the virus present in body secretions deposited onto areas of either mucous membranes (rectal mucosa, oral mucosa or tonsils) where there are receptor sites to which the virus attaches. There are some forms of sexual activity in which individuals are more prone to bleeding, in which case these bleeding sites present a rapid route for viral entry.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 48-year-old member asked:
How is the human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) transmitted easiest?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Simon Tsiourisanswered
Infectious Disease 25 years experience
Blood: Tainted blood transfusions are the easiest way to become infected with hiv. In the developed world, all blood is screened for HIV and blood transfusions are safe. Other high risk activities include sharing needles for intravenous drug use with infected individuals and having unprotected receptive anal intercourse with an HIV infected person.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
How is the human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) transmitted?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Charles Sturgisanswered
Pathology 31 years experience
Sharing body fluids: Hiv is a sexually transmitted infection. It can also be spread by contact with infected blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding. It can take years before HIV weakens the immune system to the point that the patient has aids. There is no cure for hiv/aids, but there are medications that can dramatically slow the progression of the disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Charles Sturgis commented
Pathology 31 years experience
Provided original answer
Sharing contaminated injection drug needles / syringes is another way to transmit HIV. Always use clean needles. Always used condoms with anal and vaginal sex.
Mar 7, 2014
A 43-year-old member asked:
Can you tell me if i could possibly have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) ?
1 doctor answer • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
HIV: Hiv can be transmitted via anal ; oral sex, blood transfusion, use of contaminated needles, breastfeeding ; during pregnancy ; delivery. Do you engage in behaviors that put you at risk?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
How to know if I have hiv's (human immunodeficiency virus)?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Charles Sturgisanswered
Pathology 31 years experience
Get tested.: The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested for hiv. Please visit with a clinic or doctor and have testing performed. The clinic or doctor will explain the results and be able to answer questions. To decrease risk, always use clean (single use) needles for injection drugs and always have 'safe' sex with a condom and spermicidal lubricant. Be well.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Human immunodeficiency virus--can it mutate?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joel Gallantanswered
Infectious Disease 38 years experience
Yes: Hiv mutates in response to HIV therapy. If you're being treated without a complete response (partial suppression), the virus can mutate so it can replicate in the presence of the drugs. This usually happens in people who don't take their medications properly. They can then transmit the mutant virus to others. Spontaneous mutation (mutation independent of therapy) has not been a big problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed Dec 31, 2022
Last updated Nov 8, 2018
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