Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (Cambridge O Level Biology)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• Unprotected sexual intercourse can lead to the transfer of pathogens via the exchange of body fluids
• Infections passed on in this way are known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• An example of an STI is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus that usually leads to the development of acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS)
• AIDS causes malfunction of, and ultimately, the shutdown of the immune system
  • Often patients with AIDS die from infections that they can no longer fight off, notably pneumonia, a bacterial infection of the breathing system
• HIV can also be spread via sharing needles with an infected person, blood transfusions with infected blood and from mother to fetus through the placenta and mother to baby via breastfeeding

The spread of STIs such as HIV are best controlled by:

• Limiting the number of sexual partners an individual has
• Not having unprotected sex, but making sure to always use a condom
• Getting tested if unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners has occurred
• Raising awareness through education programmes