Indirizzo: Via Portuense, 292 - Roma Telefono: +39 06.55170.1 P.IVA: 05080991002
Indirizzo: Via Portuense, 292 - Roma Telefono: +39 06.55170.1 P.IVA: 05080991002
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Understanding how HIV is transmitted helps protect yourself and others, and supports a more peaceful and informed daily life. Here you will find, explained clearly, what truly carries a risk and what does not.
HIV is transmitted only through certain body fluids:
• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal secretions
• Breast milk
For transmission to occur, one of these fluids must come into contact with mucous membranes (the internal, moist areas such as the mouth, vagina, rectum, or urethraor enter the bloodstream through a needle or a cut.
There are three main routes of transmission:
1. Unprotected sexual intercourse
The risk is higher during vaginal or anal sex without a condom, especially for the receptive partner. The insertive partner can also acquire HIV. With oral sex, the risk is low,but not zero ((it increases if there are wounds in the mouth or bleeding gums). The presence of other sexually transmitted infections (such as syphilis, gonorrhea, or herpes) can increase the likelihood of transmission.
2. Contact with infected blood
This mainly occurs when sharing needles or syringes for substance use. Blood transfusions are considered safe thanks to strict screening procedures: in practice, this is not a route of transmission.
3. Mother-to-child transmission
This can occur during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeedingWith appropriate care during pregnancy, the risk is greatly reduced (see the article on pregnancy).
This section is essential to dispel fears and prejudice. HIV is no transmitted through:
• Hugs, handshakes, social kissing
• Saliva, sweat, tears, urine, or feces
• Sharing bathrooms, showers, cutlery, plates, glasses, or food
• Towels, bed sheets, and clothing
• Mosquito bites or animal bites
• Pets
• Blood donation (sterile, single-use equipment)
This means that at home, at work, at school, or at the gym, people can live together safely. Everyday life does not pose a risk of transmission.
If you take your therapy correctly and achieve an undetectable viral load,the risk of sexual transmission is zero. This concept is known as U=U (“Undetectable = Untransmittable”) and will be explored further in a dedicated article.
In summary:
• HIV is transmitted only through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.
• Vaginal or anal sex without a condom and sharing needles are the highest-risk situations.
• The everyday life with family members, friends, or colleagues carries no risk.
• The therapy protects your health and reduces transmission: talking about it with your doctor is always the right choice.
References
HIV e AIDS – Salute Lazio. (n.d.). https://www.salutelazio.it/hiv-e-aids
How we will try to contact you
We will call you from a national landline number that starts with:
0655170 [...]
It is very important to answer: we are trying to get in touch with you!
How you can contact APC Immuno
To contact APC Immuno directly, please call the following number:
0655170333
We will answer from Mon to Sat from 11:00 to 13:00 compatibly with clinical needs.
For any clinical need it is always better to speak directly with the APC Immuno Staff. o clarify doubts of organizational nature you can send an email to apcimmuno@inmi.it. Do not use the email for clinical questions! We might not answer your question immediately!
How you can contact UOS Counseling, HIV and STI Testing and Prophylaxis
To contact UOS Counseling, HIV and STI Testing and Prophylaxis directly call the number
0655170620
What to always bring with you
• Health Insurance Card
• Valid identification document
• Exemption card for pathology 020.042 or other valid exemption
⚠️ ATTENTION: If you do not have a health insurance card you will have to go with a valid identification document to the CUP for the issuance or renewal of theSTP/ENI and sign, if you meet the requirements, the certificate of indigence, which must be renewed every 6 months, like the STP/ENI. In this way you will be able to benefit from the X01 exemption. Afterwards, you will still have to go to your local ASL with the pathology certificate to obtain the pathology exemption.
Important note on consent to care and participation in research studies
Upon your arrival at Spallanzani you will be asked to sign a document regarding consent to care. It is possible that during a medical visit you will be asked to also sign further consents for participation in clinical and research studies.
Spallanzani, as a Research Institute,participates in numerous clinical studies.
Your possible support is precious to improve care pathways and contribute to the progress of HIV research.
Participation in studies is always voluntary, free, and independent from the care pathway. The Doctor will explain to you in a clear and simple way the contents of the proposed study, which is always approved by the Ethics Committee, guarantees privacy according to current regulations, and from which you can withdraw at any time.
Please contact the information desk: The Nursing Staff will assess the situation and, if necessary, help you schedule an appointment for a medical consultation.
You can access them through the Electronic Health Record (if you have SPID or CIE), or by using the link provided by the CUP staff when you undergo the blood draw.
Please email prenotazioni.spallanzani@inmi.it no later than two days before the scheduled date to reschedule the appointment.
Many procedures can be performed at our hospital. However, some must be scheduled through the Regional CUP number at 069939.
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