Polish women do not know that they have HIV. They infect children

HIV is the name of the virus, derived from the abbreviation of the English name human immunodeficiency virus, which in Polish means: human immunodeficiency virus. It takes 6 to 11 years for HIV to develop into AIDS. AIDS from the English name acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a syndrome of acquired immunodeficiency. This is the final stage of HIV infection. AIDS is not a single disease but a set of symptoms of various diseases. Many of these diseases are common and usually not harmful to people with an undamaged immune system. However, for an AIDS patient, some of these diseases can be fatal.

Anyone can be infected regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. There are three ways of transmission of HIV: through sexual contact (both vaginal, oral and anal), through HIV-infected blood (stabbing with a needle or other object on which the blood of an infected person has been), and from an HIV-infected mother to her child (most often during pregnancy and childbirth and through breastfeeding) director of the National AIDS Center after authorization. Please change: – We are not talking about risk groups, but about risky behaviors, because the risk of HIV infection affects everyone – emphasizes Anna Marzec-Bogusławska, director of the National AIDS Center. – In Poland, the most infections are now detected in the population of men who have sexual contact with men (60% of all infections) and bisexual men (13%). About 26 percent HIV infections are detected in the heterosexual population. As a rule, people have theoretical knowledge about HIV, but it does not translate into intimate situations. It is a problem not only for Poland, but for the whole world. In an intimate situation, people usually do not think about danger, but about pleasure, feelings – adds Anna Marzec-Bogusławska.

A condom significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection. You should use condoms manufactured by reputable companies that follow the quality control procedures of their products. In order for condoms to protect effectively, they must be used in accordance with the instructions – properly put on and take off to prevent sperm from coming into contact with the partner’s mucosa. Fat-based lubricants that damage the latex from which the condoms are made must not be used. Not all condoms protect effectively – those with various fanciful shapes, textures and patterns sold in sex shops do not always provide adequate protection against infection. If the condom breaks during intercourse, you should carefully withdraw, holding the torn condom to keep as little sperm as possible. If we suspect that a partner may be infected with HIV, we should report to the nearest infectious diseases hospital and undergo treatment of the so-called post-exhibition. In the event of a condom breakage, we pay for the treatment ourselves (antiretroviral drugs are administered for 28 days, monthly therapy costs about PLN 2). In the event of an accident – puncture with a needle of unknown origin, in the case of rape, the therapy is free.

The HIV virus needs the human body to survive. In addition, it dies quickly, it is destroyed by disinfectants, including plain soapy water. It dies at a temperature above 56 degrees Celsius in a few minutes, at 100 degrees right away.

Saliva is not contagious, although the virus may be present in small amounts in the saliva of people living with HIV. The substances contained in the saliva prevent the virus from being contagious. However, if there is blood in the saliva then it can be infected.

It is safe to share cutlery, dishes and other everyday items as long as they are kept clean. You cannot get infected by sharing a toilet. However, you can become infected by sharing cosmetic tools such as shavers, toothbrushes, files, tweezers, because there may be blood on them. In this way, for example, one can catch HIV at the hairdresser. These items should not be shared with anyone, whether or not they are HIV positive.

Absolutely not. HIV does not spread by airborne droplets. You can’t catch HIV from someone who sneezes, coughs, or has a runny nose. HIV can only be transmitted through contact with the blood of an infected person and with secretions such as semen, pre-ejaculatory fluid, and vaginal discharge if they come into contact with damaged epidermis or mucosa.

Absolutely not. It is completely safe to shake hands with the patient. You can become infected with HIV only when blood is visible on the hand of the carrier with the naked eye, and the continuity of the epidermis of the hand of the person at risk of infection is severely cut or freshly burned.

Not. The virus concentration, if any, in the pool water is too low for infection to occur. Besides, there would have to be blood in the water.

It is possible if the tattoo, piercing or cosmetic procedures are performed with the use of non-sterilized tools. Virtually no infections occur in dental offices, because they follow the rules of hygiene, sterilize tools and use disposable equipment.

Oral sex does not protect against HIV infection. The oral mucosa is susceptible to HIV infection, and damage and inflammation in the mouth increase the risk of infection. Therefore, the oral mucosa should not come into contact with blood, semen or vaginal secretions. And if it does, rinse your mouth out as soon as possible, preferably with water. Do not rinse your mouth with alcohol as it increases the risk of infection. Anal sex is one of the most risky because both sides of the intercourse are susceptible to infection. The mucosa of the anus is at risk of damage and microtrauma. HIV may also be present in the rectal secretions. Intermittent intercourse does not protect against HIV because HIV may be present in the clear fluid that is secreted before you ejaculate.

Not. The virus cannot survive in the body of the mosquito. The HIV virus does not multiply in the mosquito and dies over time. The mosquito sucks about 0,001-0,01 ml of blood at a time, which is insufficient to transmit HIV infection.

HIV cannot be cured. Only prevention is an effective way to avoid infection. There is also no vaccine against HIV, because it is a virus that mutates frequently, so it is difficult to obtain an effective vaccine. In most cases, infection occurs through sexual contact, which means that we can consciously prevent them by using a condom in contacts with an accidental partner, starting a new relationship, let’s do HIV tests together with a partner. The best prevention is faithfulness.

– When in the 2014 research we asked respondents who should test for HIV as much as 53 percent. all replied, but only 5 percent. adult Poles executed it. People are aware of the danger, but prefer to deny it, they believe that this problem does not concern them – says Anna Marzec-Bogusławska, director of the National AIDS Center. The test can be done immediately after risky behavior, about which we have doubts. It must be repeated after three months to rule out infection. The list of facilities that perform free and anonymous tests can be found here: http://www.aids.gov.pl/