Why do people get AIDS?

Jun 19, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, contracting HIV/AIDS may be caused by unprotected sexual behavior, sharing needles, receiving infected blood transfusions, occupational exposure, or vertical transmission from mother to child. Patients should promptly visit a正规 hospital to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. Regarding sexual activity, it is essential to consistently and correctly use condoms to avoid unprotected high-risk sexual behavior.

Generally speaking, HIV/AIDS infection may be caused by unprotected sexual behavior, sharing needles, receiving infected blood transfusions, occupational exposure, mother-to-child vertical transmission, and other similar reasons. Patients should seek timely treatment at a正规 hospital to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Unprotected Sexual Behavior

HIV mainly exists in the bodily fluids of infected individuals, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, etc. During unprotected sexual activity, the mucous membranes of the genitals may develop minor injuries, through which the HIV virus can enter the body of a healthy individual, leading to infection.

2. Sharing Needles

Drug users often share injection needles. If one person is infected with HIV, residual blood containing the virus may remain on the used needle. When the next person uses this same needle for injection, they may become infected as the virus enters their body through the blood.

3. Receiving Infected Blood

Receiving blood or blood products contaminated with HIV is one of the important transmission routes of HIV infection. Although blood screening technology continues to improve, in some areas, due to limited testing methods or inadequate blood management practices, there remains a possibility of receiving infected blood.

4. Occupational Exposure

Healthcare workers may face the risk of occupational exposure. During contact with HIV-infected patients, if healthcare workers accidentally get pricked by used needles or have the patient's blood or bodily fluids splash onto broken skin or mucous membranes, they may become infected with HIV.

5. Mother-to-Child Vertical Transmission

An HIV-infected mother may transmit the virus to her fetus or infant during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. During pregnancy, HIV can pass through the placenta into the fetal body; during delivery, the fetus may come into contact with the mother's blood and vaginal secretions while passing through the birth canal, leading to infection; during breastfeeding, HIV can also be transmitted to the infant via breast milk.

Regarding sexual behavior, it is essential to consistently and correctly use condoms to avoid unprotected high-risk sexual activities. Do not share needles with others and stay away from drugs. If you need to undergo invasive procedures such as tattooing or ear piercing, be sure to choose正规 establishments with good hygiene conditions and ensure that the instruments are strictly sterilized.

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