HIV AIDS Causes

Causes of HIV

While much is known about the risk factors, prevention and treatment options for HIV, medical scientists still do know what causes the HIV virus. From a conspiracy theory to the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) found in monkeys, there are a number of theories as to what causes HIV but none of them have been proven conclusively.

From what researchers know today, the most plausible cause of the HIV virus is that it is caused by SIV, a virus that is almost identical in genetic make-up to the virus that is found in chimpanzees. SIV transmission from infected monkeys was then passed onto humans where it mutated into the HIV virus.

HIV though is the virus that causes AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome that is the advanced stage of the HIV infection when the body’s immune system is overcome with the HIV virus. Illnesses ranging from pneumonia to cancers develop, as the body is no longer able to protect itself from foreign substances.

The risk factors for contracting HIV are well-known thanks to massive public health education and awareness campaigns. But in many parts of the world where there are enormously high infection rates, there still exists misinformation and confusion over how the virus is spread.

The primary risk factor for HIV infection is coming in contact with bodily fluids, either blood, semen or vaginal fluid from someone who has the virus. Therefore, heterosexual and homosexual couples, particularly men who sleep with men, who have unprotected sex are at a high risk for contracting the virus. In addition, intravenous drug users who uses needles or syringes to inject drugs or steroids are also at risk since the needles they use can be contaminated with blood from other infected users. Individuals who received a blood transfusion from the years 1978 to1985 in the United States are also at risk. Today, all donated blood is tested for HIV. Lastly, babies born to an HIV positive mother are at risk for contracting the disease through birth or breast-feeding.