One method for limiting HIV transmission is syringe exchange, which involves providing drug users with sterile syringes in exchange for their used ones. While there is considerable research data showing that syringe exchange is effective in limiting the spread of AIDS among drug users, some people feel very uncomfortable with providing drug users with syringes.

The public health debate over syringe exchange is ongoing. Additionally, there has been controversy over the ability of HIV/AIDS to be transmitted through casual contact, such as shaking hands.

Casual Contact Not a Culprit of HIV/AIDS
Further, some people have feared that mosquitoes or other biting insects might transmit HIV. Considerable scientific research has shown that HIV/AIDS is not transmitted through casual contact unless blood from one person passes into the body of the other.

Likewise, hugging, shaking hands with, or even sharing eating utensils with a person infected with HIV is not a risk for HIV infection, nor can biting insects transmit the virus.

Finally, HIV is not and never has been transmitted by donating blood. Prior to the treatment of the blood supply, it was possible to become infected through receiving a blood transfusion, but controls on blood banks in the U.S. have all but eliminated this risk.

While HIV/AIDS is a significant health risk, it is possible to protect yourself from becoming infected. Proper use of latex condoms during oral, anal, or vaginal sex, is the most effective way to avoid possible infection for those who are sexually active.

Abstinence from sex is another approach, although it is not one that many adults choose. When having sex, it is important to accept that you cannot tell by looking whether someone is infected with HIV/AIDS. AIDS does not discriminate. It will infect rich and poor people, people of all races and nationalities, gay and straight people, men and women, adults and children.

HIV/AIDS — A Tie That Binds
AIDS binds us all together in a common community of risk, and demands that we all exercise appropriate health precautions like condom use. For couples who are attempting to have a child (and hence desire not to use a condom), HIV testing can suggest with reasonable certainty whether you and your partner have been infected.

Couples and individuals can use test results in making decisions about proceeding or not with forgoing condom use for the purposes of conceiving a child.

While transmission of HIV from an infected mother to her unborn child was common earlier in the epidemic, drugs like AZT have significantly lowered this form of HIV transmission.

Additionally, a variety of new drugs and drug combinations have become available in recent years. Some of these drugs are very effective in treating the opportunistic infections that are caused by HIV disease.

Others, like the protease inhibitors, are effective in interfering with reproduction of the virus and limiting the "viral load" or quantity of virus in an infected person's body. These new drugs have allowed many infected individuals to lead longer, healthier, more active and productive lives.

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent HIV infection and there is no cure.

Copyright 2002 Sinclair Intimacy Institute