In HIV, the virus cannot be transmitted by?

AIIMS BBSR SNO - 2019

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS BBSR SNO - 2019

Explanation

'Shaking hands' because HIV is not transmitted through casual, non-sexual contact.
The virus is not found in sweat and cannot be passed through intact skin, making activities like shaking hands, hugging, or sharing utensils completely safe.
HIV transmission requires the exchange of specific body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk, which does not occur during a handshake.

Option B: This is a known mode of transmission. Receiving blood from an HIV-infected donor is a highly efficient way to transmit the virus, although the risk is now extremely low in countries with mandatory blood screening.
Option C: This is the most common mode of HIV transmission worldwide. Unprotected sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal, or oral) allows for the exchange of infected bodily fluids.
Option D: This is a major route of transmission, particularly among people who inject drugs. Sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment contaminated with infected blood directly introduces the virus into the bloodstream.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Modes of HIV transmission as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's primary role is to provide accurate, evidence-based education to dispel myths about HIV. Correcting misinformation reduces stigma and fear, ensuring patients receive compassionate care and are not unfairly isolated.
Understanding transmission routes is fundamental to implementing Universal Precautions, where all patients are treated as potentially infectious, ensuring the safety of both healthcare workers and other patients.
What if a healthcare worker experiences a needlestick injury from a patient with a known HIV-positive status? The immediate action is to follow post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) protocol, which includes washing the area, reporting the incident, and starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible (ideally within hours, but up to 72 hours post-exposure) to significantly reduce the risk of seroconversion.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keyword 'cannot' in the question. This indicates you are looking for the option that is NOT a method of transmission.
Next, recall the primary routes of HIV transmission: sexual contact, bloodborne (needles, transfusions), and mother-to-child.
Evaluate each option against these known routes.
Option A, 'Shaking hands', is a form of casual social contact, not a recognized route for bloodborne virus transmission.
Options B, C, and D (blood transfusion, sexual intercourse, sharing needles) are all well-established, primary routes of HIV transmission.
Therefore, the option that does not fit the transmission criteria is the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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