
Unfortunately, almost no one knows when they are in this phase of HIV infection. This increases the chance that they can pass on the infection.
When the HIV-infected person is in the “acute infection” phas e (see fact sheet 103), the amount of virus in their blood is very high. Several other factors increase the risk of transmitting HIV, or becoming infected. Herpes simplex infection (see Fact Sheet 508) also causes sores which assist infection with HIV.Īn active case of syphilis or herpes increases the amount of HIV in someone’s system and can make it easier for them to pass it on to another person. It is easy for someone to be infected with HIV through syphilis sores. Also, syphilis causes large, painless sores. People with syphilis have a higher than average chance of being infected with HIV. Syphilis can increase the risk of transmitting HIV. However, other diseases such as syphilis can be transmitted through oral sex. It is much lower than for other types of unprotected sexual activity. The risk of HIV infection through oral sex is extremely low. It is possible to get infected with HIV through oral sex. There have been many studies of HIV transmission through oral sex. It’s possible for HIV to enter the penis through any open sores, through the moist lining of the opening of the penis, or through the cells in the mucous membrane in the foreskin or the head of the penis. However, there is some risk for the active partner in anal or vaginal sex. The risk is higher for the receptive partner. The risk of infection is increased if there is any inflammation or infection in the vagina. All it takes is a tiny scrape that can be too small to see. Also, it can be damaged by sexual activity. The lining of the vagina is stronger than in the rectum, but is vulnerable to infection. Receptive vaginal intercourse has the next highest risk. The “top,” or active partner in anal intercourse, seems to have a much lower risk. This makes it easier for HIV to enter the body. It is damaged very easily during sexual activity. The next greatest risk for HIV infection is from unprotected sexual intercourse ( without a condom.) Receptive anal intercourse carries the highest risk. Hepatitis virus can also be transmitted by sharing needles. When you share needles, there is a very high probability that someone else’s blood will be injected into your bloodstream. The highest risk of becoming infected with HIV is from sharing needles to inject drugs with someone who is infected with HIV. There is no reason to believe that the results apply to other groups, or to the general population. That can happen the first time you engage in a risky activity.Īlso, these studies were based on a specific group of people. You might become infected with HIV after a single exposure. If the risk is 1 in 100, for example, it doesn’t mean that you can engage in that activity 99 times without any risk of becoming infected. They cannot tell you if you have been infected. They can tell you which activities carry a higher or lower risk. These calculations only give a general idea of risk. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, several studies were done to assess the risk of HIV infection from specific types of exposure to HIV. Fact sheet 156 has more information on “post-exposure prophylaxis.” Ask whether you can use HIV treatments to prevent infection. In these cases, talk to your health care provider immediately.
You might feel that you have been exposed to HIV by sharing needles, an accident, or unsafe sexual activity. Then get an HIV test (see fact sheet 102). You should wait for 3 months after a possible exposure. The only way to know for sure whether you have been infected is to get tested. You can’t be sure that you’re not infected with HIV unless you are 100% certain that you did not engage in any risky behavior and that you were not exposed to any HIV-infected fluids. When this happens, they always want to know how likely it is that they got infected with HIV. This can be by accident or because they take part in some risky behavior. However, they may still be exposed to HIV. They also know about safer sex guidelines (see fact sheet 151). Most people know how HIV is transmitted (see fact sheet 150). WHAT’S MY RISK OF GETTING INFECTED WITH HIV? WHAT INCREASES THE RISK OF HIV INFECTION? WHAT'S MY RISK OF GETTING INFECTED WITH HIV?