Does HIV Transmission Occur Through Blood?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is transmitted from one person to another through blood and other body fluids. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 1.2 million people, 13 years and older, are infected with HIV, and 12.8% of those people are unaware of their infection.

How is HIV Transmitted?

HIV transmission takes place when infected blood and other body fluids, such as semen, and vaginal and rectal fluids, come into direct contact with another person’s bloodstream, damaged tissue, or mucous membranes. This can occur via body contact or when injected into the bloodstream using a needle. HIV can only be acquired in a few ways, including:

• From mother to baby via pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding
• Unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex
• Contaminated needles used to inject drugs
• Blood transfusions and related blood products, though extremely rare

Out of the ways HIV transmission can occur, anal sex presents the most risk. According to Healthline, “Bleeding is more likely during anal sex due to the fragile tissues that line the anus. This allows the virus to enter the body more easily.”

There are many myths about how HIV can be transmitted, so it’s important to have correct information to prevent infection. HIV cannot be transmitted via the following:

• Saliva or kissing
• Toilet seats
• Food
• Sharing cups or utensils
• Musical instruments
• Swimming pools
• Insect bites
• Sterile needles
• Protected sex with correct condom usage

HIV needs a living host to survive and does not last long in the open air. No environmental transmission has been recorded. However, HIV is a bloodborne pathogen, and all bloodborne pathogens should be treated as potentially dangerous.

If someone with HIV loses a great deal of blood, or dies, and blood and bodily fluid cleanup is required, you should contact a professional bioremediation company. Cleanup in this case needs to be done by professionals who are trained in disinfection practices that prevent transmission.

Aftermath Protects Against HIV Transmission During Blood Cleanup

Aftermath is a crime scene and trauma cleanup cleanup company, with the training and experience to safely remove blood and bodily fluids containing bloodborne pathogens. We use multi-stage bio-washing protocols to provide the highest levels of disinfection and ensure no bloodborne pathogen remain at the site.

To find out more about how Aftermath protects against HIV transmission during blood cleanup, read about the 3 R’s (risks, rights, and responsibilities) regarding blood, body fluids and biohazardous materials, or contact us 24/7.

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Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/basics/ataglance.html
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/busting-hiv-transmission-myths#3