How does HIV and AIDS infect a person?
HIV is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, seminal fluid, l secretions, and breast milk. The most common modes of transmission include:
1. Unprotected sexual contact: HIV is predominantly spread thual intercourse with an infected person. Unprotected or l intercourse, especially if accompanied by bleeding, poses the greatest risk for transmission.
2. Injecting drugs: HIV can be spread among people who share needles, syringes or other equipment to inject drugs.
3. HIV during pregnancy or childbirth: HIV-infected mothers can pass the virus to their babies during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
4. Blood transfusions: This was a common mode of transmission before the introduction of mandatory blood screening for HIV.
Once inside the body, HIV attacks and destroys cells of the immune system, known as CD4 cells. Over time, as the number of CD4 cells declines, the body becomes vulnerable to infection and various diseases. When the number of CD4 cells falls below a certain level, the person is said to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).