HIV is NOT transmitted by?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

HIV is not transmitted through casual, non-sexual contact such as shaking hands.
The virus is fragile outside the body and cannot be spread through intact skin.
Transmission requires direct contact with specific bodily fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk, which does not occur when shaking hands.

Option A: Sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral) is the most common mode of HIV transmission globally.
Option B: Receiving contaminated blood via transfusion is a highly effective, though now rare, parenteral route of HIV transmission.
Option D: Sharing needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood is a major route of parenteral transmission, especially among intravenous drug users.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Modes of HIV transmission and non-transmission as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients, families, and the community to reduce the fear and stigma associated with HIV by clarifying that casual contact is safe.
A thorough understanding of transmission routes is fundamental for all healthcare workers to consistently apply Standard Precautions, protecting both themselves and their patients.
What if? If a nurse sustains a needle-stick injury from a patient with an unknown HIV status, it is treated as a potential exposure. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be offered and initiated as soon as possible (ideally within 2 hours, but up to 72 hours) while the source patient's status is determined.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative keyword 'NOT' in the question stem. This indicates you are looking for the option that is an incorrect statement about HIV transmission.
Recall the three primary routes of HIV transmission: Sexual, Parenteral (blood-related), and Perinatal (mother-to-child).
Systematically evaluate each option against these known transmission routes.
Option A (Intercourse) is a sexual route. This is a valid transmission mode.
Option B (Blood transfusion) is a parenteral route. This is a valid transmission mode.
Option D (Sharing drug needles) is a parenteral route. This is a valid transmission mode.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q8JL_NYz1WpAmOuWpQCgR9

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 254-256

E6 Pathology-Textbook of PATHOLOGYHarsh Mohan Part 1 (1-214) p. 153-155

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1603-1605

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.