How effective are latex condoms in preventing HIV? Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing transmission of HIV. Laboratory studies have found that HIV does not pass through intact latex condoms even when they are stretched or stressed, according to the World Health Organization. Prospective studies looking at couples in which one partner is HIV-positive and the other is not have shown that, with consistent condom use, less than 1% of the HIV-negative people became infected annually. In 2000, representatives of four U.S. government agencies (U.S. Agency for International Development, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health) concluded in a report that, based on an analysis of published studies, male condoms significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission for both men and women during vaginal intercourse when used correctly in every encounter. Why is injection drug use a risk for HIV transmission? At the start of every injection, blood is introduced into the needle and syringe. Therefore, a needle and syringe that an HIV-positive person uses can contain blood that contains the virus. The reuse of a blood-contaminated needle or syringe by another drug injector carries a high risk of HIV transmission because infected blood can be injected directly into the bloodstream. Sharing other drug-using equipment also can be a risk for spreading HIV. Infected blood can be introduced into drug solutions through using blood-contaminated syringes to prepare drugs; reusing water; reusing bottle caps, spoons, or other containers used to dissolve drugs in water and to heat drug solutions; or reusing small pieces of cotton or cigarette filters used to filter out particles that could block the needle. Trends in HIV transmission in the United States The CDC provides the most current information on trends in the United States in its 2020 online report titled, “HIV in the United States and Dependent Areas.” Key points are provided below using the most current available data: ● In 2018, 37,832 people received an HIV diagnosis in the United States and dependent areas. From 2010 to 2017, HIV diagnoses decreased 11% among adults and adolescents in the 50 states and District of Columbia. However, annual diagnoses have increased among some groups. ● Though HIV/AIDS is no longer among the 15 top killers in the U.S., it is still the ninth leading cause of death among adults ages 25-44. In the non-Hispanic black population, HIV/AIDS is the ninth leading cause of death among those ages 20-24 and ranks eighth among those ages 25 thru 54. ● Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are the population most affected by HIV. In 2018, gay and bisexual men accounted for 69% of the 37,832 new HIV diagnoses and 86% of diagnoses among males. ● Heterosexuals continue to be affected by HIV. In 2018, heterosexuals accounted for 24% of the 37,832 new HIV diagnoses.
Can HIV be transmitted through casual contact (shaking hands, hugging, using a toilet, drinking from the same glass, or sneezing and coughing)? HIV is not transmitted through day-to-day contact in workplaces, schools, or social settings. HIV is not transmitted through shaking hands, hugging, or casual kissing. A person cannot become infected from touching a toilet seat, a drinking fountain, a doorknob, dishes, drinking glasses, food, or pets. HIV is not an airborne or foodborne virus, and it does not live long outside the body. HIV can be found in blood, semen, or vaginal fluid of an HIV-positive person. Can HIV be transmitted through mosquitoes? No, mosquitoes do not transmit HIV. When mosquitoes feed on blood from a person, they only inject their saliva, which serves as a lubricant and allows the insect to draw blood more easily. In addition, HIV does not reproduce or survive inside mosquitoes, unlike organisms that are transmitted via insect bites. How well does HIV survive outside the body? HIV does not survive for very long outside of the human body. HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host, except under laboratory conditions. Therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.
● Heterosexual men accounted for 7% of new HIV diagnoses. ● Heterosexual women accounted for 16% of new HIV diagnoses. ● People who inject drugs (PWID) accounted for 7% of the 37,832 new HIV diagnoses in 2018. ● Men who inject drugs accounted for 4% of new HIV diagnoses. ● Women who inject drugs accounted for 3% of new HIV diagnoses. ● Blacks/African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV in 2018. ● Blacks/African Americans accounted for 42% of new HIV diagnoses and 13% of the population. ● Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 27% of new HIV diagnoses and 18% of the population. ● HIV diagnoses are not evenly distributed regionally. In 2018, the population rates (per 100,000 people) of people who received an HIV diagnosis were highest in the South (15.7), followed by the U.S. dependent areas (12.7), Northeast (10.0), West (9.3), Midwest (7.2).
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