AIDS

The abbreviation AIDS means Acquired immune deficiency syndrome what lets suppose that it can exist a "natural" Immunodeficiency. It is ,in this last case, mostly, about genetic diseases. We know that when we are affected by a viral disease as the measles or the mumps, our organism, through certain blood cells, lymphocytes in this particular case is going to defend itself by producing antibodies. The problem with the AIDS-related virus is that it attacks in lymphocytes, that is to say in the sensible cells supposed to defend us. It is completely comparable to a system of self-destruction of our defence system. So our body which cannot any more defend itself is then affected by any sort of diseases: infections, cancers and to die from it.

Seropositivity
The fact of being seropositive face to face of the AIDS-related virus does not mean being sick, but simply being carrying the virus and sometimes, it needed several years (until 12 years) to pass from the stage of the seropositivity to the stage of the disease because of a progressive disappearance of the natural immune systems, especially since the appearance of new treatments which, if they do not for the moment allow to eradicate the virus, allow a good quality prolonged survival.
The transmission of the HIV bases thus not exclusively, but essentially on the blood transmission of these carrier cells of the HIV.
As we understood, we find lymphocytes in the blood, but also in the sperm and in the genital liquids, these last ones being essentially contaminated by some blood: the superficial irritation of the genital mucous membranes during the sexual activity is responsible for it.
On the other hand the saliva does not contain lymphocytes unless having been contaminated by some blood.
A burglary of the surface of the skin or the mucous membrane is thus needed so that the transmission can be made, what means that a seropositive person cannot pass on the virus by a "handshake". It is necessary to know that the virus is very quickly annulled outdoors.

Aids and sexual intercourses
As regards the sexual relations, we can understand that every seropositive person can pass on the virus for a healthy person and it, more easily as sexual intercourses are irritating or abrasive for mucous membranes: of micro-cuts, invisible mostly in the bare eye are frequent during sexual intercourse. It does not mean as far as a sexual intercourse with a carrier person of the HIV will pass on the virus to another automatically, but it is like to play the Russian roulette.
We can easily understand that sure mucous membranes are more fragile than the others as the anal mucous membrane.
It is thus evident that two persons insurant of their seronegativity present no risk the one for the other one, and that they can be engaged in all the whims. However let us not forget that exist other IST which, if they are not mortal, can have grave consequences.
In the slightest doubt, it is preferable at first to refrain or to use a condom, then in a second step, if the relation goes on, to make a blood test at both partners to verify the seronegativity.
The seroconversion needs 2 tof 3 months, it is necessary to wait for this delay without sexual intercourse or have protected sexual intercourses during this period.

contributing factors in HIV transmission,

Here are the contributing factors for the transmission of the HIV, that does not mean they pass on AIDS automatically

• Blood transfusion or of elements of blood origin with some untreated blood what is not any more the case in France, nor in most part of countries especially because a serology is made on the taken blood.
• Organ grafts according to the same modalities as the transfusion.
• Needle exchanges in case of drug addiction
• Tattoos and piercings realized in poor sanitation or asepsises
• Non protected sexual relations with unknown or at risk persons.
• Finally any situation where there is a contact with some contaminated by the HIV blood.

Safe and fulfilling sexuality

• Avoid having a sexual relation with an unknown person without condom.
• If the person pleases you, you can enjoy yourselves without having of sexual intercourse what allows moreover to confide and better to know and it without risk.
• At the end of some weeks of discoveries, if all the biological tests are good, if the contraception is assured, it will be possible to have complete sexual intercourse.
  

But let us not forget that if this satisfying sexuality requires certain conditions, it is not simple and easy to achieve.

Rédaction:Patrice Cudicio, médecin, directeur, chargé de cours au DIU de Sexologie du Grand Ouest de la France (Faculté de médecine de Nantes, Rennes, Brest, Caen, Angers, Tours, Poitiers)

coordination éditoriale Catherine Cudicio