12.1 World AIDS Day | If you happen to have a meal with an AIDS patient, will you be infected?

Some time ago, I went to the community to do a free health promotion clinic on "Things about Insomnia". During the question-and-answer session, an aunt in her 70s asked me: "Since the community opened the elderly canteen to help the disabled, I have enjoyed the convenience it brings to our elderly friends. At first, I ate by myself, and then I got to know everyone and started to eat together. Since then, sometimes when I can't sleep, I wonder what the people I eat with are like. They seem to be very active. Do they have AIDS? I drink water, eat, shake hands, etc. together, so as not to infect myself, otherwise my dignity will be ruined... The more I think about it, the more scared I am, and the more I think about it, the more I can't sleep. Am I overthinking?"

When it comes to AIDS, do you feel unfamiliar and afraid? Do you know the main transmission route of AIDS? Will you be infected if you eat with an AIDS infected person?

December 1, 2023 is the 36th World AIDS Day. The theme of my country's publicity campaign is "Gathering social forces to fight AIDS together." Today we will talk to you about AIDS.

What is AIDS?

AIDS, also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It can cause lymphocyte damage, leading to persistent immunodeficiency, opportunistic infections in multiple organs and rare malignant tumors, and ultimately death.

What are the ways AIDS is transmitted?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is present in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, tears, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine of infected people. AIDS patients and HIV carriers are contagious, but mainly through:

(1) Sexual transmission;

(2) Blood transmission;

(3) Mother-to-child transmission;

(4) Babies can also be infected through breastfeeding after birth.

So you will not get AIDS from being with an AIDS patient. But if the child's caregiver is HIV-infected and feeds the child by chewing, the child may be infected. If the caregiver has bleeding gums or mouth ulcers, the risk of transmission is even greater. What is emphasized here is that "feeding children by chewing" should be avoided. Regardless of whether the feeder is HIV-infected or not, feeding in this way is unhygienic and easily transmits diseases.

Who are the people at high risk of AIDS?

(1) Intravenous drug addicts;

(2) The sexual partner has been confirmed to be infected with HIV;

(3) having multiple sexual partners;

(4) Coming from HIV-incidence areas;

(5) Suffering from multiple sexually transmitted diseases, especially ulcerative lesions;

(6) Use of non-standard blood products;

(7) Children born to HIV antibody positive persons.

How do I know if I am infected with AIDS ?

There may be some symptoms after HIV infection, such as fever, weight loss, swollen superficial lymph nodes throughout the body, and various conditional infections. There are also asymptomatic infections.

The initial diagnosis is usually made through a positive blood test for HIV antibodies.

What are the treatments for AIDS?

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for AIDS.

The main treatment is antiviral drugs and general supportive symptomatic treatment. So through the above introduction, we know that HIV focuses on prevention and staying away from high-risk groups and other factors that make people susceptible to the disease.

How to prevent AIDS?

AIDS cannot be completely cured and there is no effective vaccine, but it can be prevented.

The transmission route of HIV is very clear, mainly related to human behavior, and can be completely blocked by regulating people's social behavior. Keeping oneself clean, using condoms correctly, not using untested blood products, reducing unnecessary blood transfusions, not going to informal medical institutions for injections, tooth extraction, acupuncture, beauty or surgery, and not sharing syringes, toothbrushes, razors, etc. can effectively prevent HIV infection.

Finally, I emphasize again:

You won’t be infected if you eat with an AIDS patient!

There is no problem in socializing normally with AIDS patients!

Many AIDS patients are also victims. Please do not look at them with discrimination and exclusion. They also need care and understanding.

Contributor: Wang Huiqiu, Director of the Rehabilitation Center of Shenyang Anning Hospital, Expert of the Science Popularization Working Group of the Mental Rehabilitation Committee of the Chinese Rehabilitation Medicine Association