In Ukraine, HIV is most often transmitted sexually – DSP

Most often - in more than 70% of cases-HIV in Ukraine is transmitted sexually. This was announced by the deputy general director of the DSP Alexander Yurchenko on the air of the telethon, reports UNN.

Yurchenko noted that in 2024 there is an increased number of tests compared even to 2022, 2023, 2021.

The main factor of HIV transmission today is the sexual route. It accounts for almost 70% of the total number of HIV transmission cases. The last 30% is transmission among injecting drug users, that is, through dirty injection tools or through a dirty substance that is injected

HIV and AIDS-what is the difference –

HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus. It affects and gradually destroys the cells of the human immune system that protect the body from infections. HIV leads to the development of AIDS within 8-10 years. With proper treatment, this process can be much longer.

AIDS is an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A complex of diseases that develop due to the destruction of the immune system by a virus (HIV).

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In Ukraine , for 9 months of this year, 9,653 thousand new cases of HIV were detected, every Fourth of which is in the AIDS stage.

The Ministry of Health reminded that you can get tested for HIV by contacting a family doctor or in medical institutions, and tests for rapid diagnosis are also provided by non-governmental patient organizations. Such diagnostics are free of charge and confidential and are included in various service packages of the medical guarantee program.

Quick tests allow you to get the result in 15-30 minutes.

The Ministry of Health emphasizes that a positive HIV test is not a sentence. A reliable way to keep the virus under control is a drug – antiretroviral therapy (ARV therapy).

The Ministry of Health also recalled the most popular myths about HIV/AIDS.

• HIV is transmitted by kissing, coughing and sneezing-a myth

Saliva, sputum, tears, sweat, urine, and vomit cannot cause HIV infection. Hugs and handshakes are also absolutely safe.

• You can get the virus through household items - dishes, clothes, phone, toilet, etc. - myth

This is not possible in the same way as infection through food prepared by an HIV-infected person.

• HIV can be caught through insect bites. - Myth

Mosquitoes, flies, bedbugs, and lice cannot carry the immunodeficiency virus.

• HIV can be contracted through cat hair, dog bite, or contact with a wild animal. - Myth

Animals cannot carry the immunodeficiency virus.

• Anal sex can't be the cause of infection. - Myth

Any sexual contact without a condom (anal, vaginal, oral) can cause infection.

• You can't get HIV in beauty salons. - Myth

Any instruments that are repeatedly used for injections, piercings, or tattoos can cause infection. Make sure that the wizard has sterilized the tools.

• HIV is not transmitted from mother to child. - Myth

HIV is transmitted during pregnancy and childbirth, during breastfeeding from an HIV-infected woman to a child, if you do not use preventive measures.