Question

A 20-year-old male who had sexual contact with a HIV negative female, was tested HIV positive. Which one of the following reasons could be a probable cause?

• A. He might have shaken hands with an HIV positive person.
• B. He must have had lunch with an HIV positive person.
• C. He might have hugged an HIV positive person.
• D. He might have taken intravenous drugs from a syringe/needle which was also used by an HIV positive person.

Answer 1

The correct option is D He might have taken intravenous drugs from a syringe/needle which was also used by an HIV positive person.

HIV(Human immunodeficiency virus) is the causative agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It attacks and weakens the immune system of the patient and thus makes him/her vulnerable to death even from minor infections.
Modes of transmission of HIV:
1.Sexual contact with the infected person which results in exchange of seminal and vaginal fluids.
2.Transfusion of blood or blood products from an infected to a healthy person.
3.From an infected mother to her child through placenta or breast milk.
4.By use of unsterilised needles which have been used by a person infected with HIV.

HIV cannot spread through touch or regular contact where there is no exchange of body fluids involved. Thus, shaking hands, hugging, sitting close to or having a meal with an HIV positive person does not spread the virus from the infected person to the non-infected person.

If a 20 year old male has sexual intercourse with a HIV negative female, the most certain route of transmission of the virus into his body is the use of infected needles for intravenous drug administration. Drug abusers often reuse unsterilised needles that can be contaminated and carry viruses which can infect a healthy person .

Reuse of unsterilised syringes or surgical instruments at hospitals and clinics can also transmit the virus in a similar way.