View source for HIV/AIDS

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'''AIDS''', or '''A'''cquired '''I'''mmuno'''D'''eficiency '''S'''yndrome, usually refers to a state of infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that has progressed from its initial chronic phase into a more aggressively acute stage. It is a sexually-transmitted disease which has the immune system as its main target, and when weakened can lead to the onset of opportunistic diseases.

== AIDS and zoophilia ==
The idea that the origin of the AIDS epidemic is linked to zoophilic relationships between humans and monkeys is particularly anchored in the collective imagination. It is, however, unfounded.

Similarly to [[Syphilis and Zoophilia|syphilis]], another sexually-transmitted infection, such diseases are the subject of a moral condemnation. This belief stems from the idea that the outbreak of the epidemic would be linked to condemned sexual practices, such as homosexuality or [[bestiality]]. The origin of the epidemic being undoubtedly African, it was also easy to believe that those responsible for the spread of the epidemic were the Africans, to whom one could attribute wild or strange customs such as [[zoophilia]]. Likewise, it is common in Africa that the origin of the disease is also associated with the transgression of moral prohibitions in collective beliefs. These transgressions involve both zoophilia and homosexuality or other so-called "obscene" sexual positions. This condemnation takes place in traditional education, which distinguishes the pure and the impure, but is also to be compared with the influence of Judeo-Christian values after several centuries of evangelization in certain regions. Mirroring Western beliefs on the origin of the disease, popular discourse in Africa sometimes associates the origin of AIDS with the weakening of social mores (or even their corruption) under foreign influence, referring to rumors sometimes developed around zoophilia<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.jle.com/en/revues/san/e-docs/approche_de_la_sexualite_au_congo_dans_le_contexte_du_sida_220101/article.phtml|url-access=subscription|first1=Robert|last1=Courtois|first2=Etienne|last2=Mullet|first3=Denis|last3=Malvy|title=Approach of sexuality in Congo in an AIDS context|journal=Cahiers d'études et de recherches francophones / Santé|language=fr|date=January–February 2001|volume=11|issue=1|pages=43–48}}</ref>

Many serious hypotheses about the onset of the AIDS epidemic actually suggest a transmission vector from the non-human animals to humans of a virus that would have mutated. The origin of this epidemic could be attributed to a virus carried by the green monkeys. However, nothing indicates that a zoophilic report is at the origin of the contagion. For many diseases such as Ebola, there is transmission of the disease from monkeys to humans. This transmission mainly takes place through bites or other routes, depending on the mode of transmission of the virus (consumption of the animal is another, for example).

But these situations remain exceptional. In most cases, viruses are species-specific. For example, we cannot infect a monkey with HIV, and for laboratory analyzes we use a simian virus, SIV, which is similar to HIV, but modified for the experiments.

Recent research has made it possible to date the origin of the epidemic, and in particular, trace it back to the emergence of colonial towns in Cameroon at the end of the 19th century, which allowed a one-off event of the disease to occur. The virus found there a favorable ground for the emergence of an epidemic, which subsequently became global.

== AIDS prevention and zoophilia ==
=== An HIV positive person cannot infect their animal companion during sexual intercourse ===
The practice of zoophilia is not exempt from the risk of transmission of [[STI & Zoophilia|sexually-transmitted infections]] between men. This can occur under the specific conditions listed below.

==== Penetrations by the same animal of two successive partners ====
If one of the sexual partners is HIV-positive or has an STI, it could be transmitted to the other partner.

Do not forget that anal penetration is often an inherently traumatic activity (in particular with certain animals) and that the anal mucosa is particularly fragile. Very often, micro-bleeding occurs and the penis of your animal partner will be a potential vector for HIV transmission.

In some cases it may be possible to use condoms (yes, yes, they work for dogs, too!). The simplest safe approach is to avoid two successive penetrations by the same animal on two different partners. Since the AIDS virus cannot survive for more than a few minutes outside the body, it is reasonable to assume that the next day it will have been destroyed. A simple rinse with water may not be enough, though.

==== Penetrations of an animal by two successive partners ====
The risk for HIV here is mainly linked to the ejaculation of seminal fluid. Two partners successively entering an animal can thus transmit the HIV virus to each other.

To avoid HIV infection, as with other [[STI & Zoophilia|STIs]], one of the partners can use a condom.

== Miscellaneous ==
The HIV status of a partner is not discernable with simple observation. A screening test provides the serological status as of two months before the sample. People who are HIV-positive but do not know their HIV status are at higher risk of transmitting the disease than a person who is treated.

If you are HIV-positive, you do not have to say your HIV status if you take the necessary precautions, but you have a responsibility (just like your HIV-negative partner) to make sure your partner is not at risk of transmitting HIV.

== See also ==
* [[STI & Zoophilia]]
** [[Syphilis and Zoophilia]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Sexuality]]