10 Risky Behaviours That Increase Your Chance of Getting HIV

HIV is a virus that affects the immune system. If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems and even death. Though there isn’t a cure for HIV at the moment, it’s important to prioritise prevention because the virus can be difficult to manage.

It’s important to note that practicing safe sex, using condoms consistently, getting tested for HIV regularly, and avoiding high-risk behaviours can significantly reduce the risk of contracting HIV.

Here are 10 behaviours that increase the risk of contracting HIV:

1. Unprotected sex: Engaging in vaginal, anal, or oral sex without using condoms increases the risk of HIV transmission. Anal sex carries a higher risk of HIV transmission compared to vaginal sex, especially without condoms. Being the receptive partner in anal sex without using condoms increases the risk.
2. Multiple sexual partners: Having multiple sexual partners without protection increases the likelihood of exposure to HIV.
3. Sharing needles: Sharing needles or syringes for injecting drugs, steroids, or hormones can transmit HIV through contaminated blood.
4. Unsterile Tattooing or Piercing: Getting tattoos or body piercings in unsterile environments with contaminated equipment can lead to HIV transmission.
5. Sharing Personal Items: Sharing personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, or sex toys that may come into contact with blood can pose a risk of HIV transmission.
6. Mother-to-Child Transmission: Pregnant women with untreated HIV can transmit the virus to their baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
7. Commercial Sex Work: Engaging in sex work without proper protection increases the risk of HIV transmission, particularly in contexts where condoms are not consistently used.
8. Blood transfusions or organ transplants: Receiving blood transfusions or organ transplants from infected donors without proper screening increases the risk of HIV transmission.
9. Occupational Exposure: Healthcare workers or others who come into contact with HIV-infected blood or bodily fluids without proper protection are at risk of HIV transmission.
10. Lack of HIV testing: Not knowing one’s HIV status can lead to unknowingly transmitting or acquiring the virus.

Source – Tru News Report