TOPICS

TRANSMISSION PATHS AND INFECTION RISKS

The HI-Virus can be transmitted when blood, sperm, vaginal fluid or mothers milk comes into direct contact with an open cut, wound or mucous membrane. However, the main transmission path for the HI-Virus is unprotected sexual intercourse. The infection is easily transmitted through the mucous membranes during unprotected vaginal sex. The danger of small injuries to the mucous membranes of the intestinal wall increases the risk even further during anal sex. The risk of infection through oral sex is lower but cannot be ruled out. Injuries in the mouth area like bleeding gums, split lips or fungal infections increase the risk as does ejaculating sperm into the partners mouth. An infection through the saliva, tears, urine or sweat can be almost entirely ruled out as they have such a low virus concentration.

A very high infection risk exists between sexual partners where one partner has recently been infected with the HI-Virus. There are especially high virus concentrations in the sperm, vaginal fluid, and blood of newly infected people. An uncircumcized penis and the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases like hepatitis or gonorrhea also increase the risk of infection. Another method of transmission is through the use of shared needles and intravenous drugs. The risk of infection through donated blood has been reduced dramatically in Germany through rigorous repeated testing. The risk of HIV transmission from mother to child during pregnancy and in childbirth have also been massively reduced.