There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about snakes and one of the most common is that they can get AIDS. This is simply not true. Snakes are not susceptible to the HIV virus and therefore cannot contract or spread AIDS.
One of the reasons that people may think that snakes can get AIDS is because they can carry and transmit other diseases. For example snakes can carry Salmonella bacteria which can cause food poisoning in humans. However HIV is a completely different virus and cannot be transmitted by snakes.
So to recap no snakes cannot get AIDS.
Can snakes get AIDS?
No snakes cannot get AIDS.
What is AIDS?
AIDS is a serious life-threatening illness caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
How do people get AIDS?
People get AIDS by coming in contact with infected blood or body fluids such as semen vaginal fluid or blood.
HIV can also be passed from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy birth or breast-feeding.
What are the symptoms of AIDS?
Early symptoms of AIDS may include fever tiredness and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin.
However some people infected with HIV may not have any symptoms for 10 years or longer.
How is AIDS diagnosed?
AIDS is diagnosed through a blood test that looks for antibodies to the HIV virus.
Is there a cure for AIDS?
Currently there is no cure for AIDS.
However there are treatments available that can prolong a person’s life.
Can AIDS be prevented?
Yes AIDS can be prevented.
The best way to prevent AIDS is to avoid contact with infected blood or body fluids.
Use of condoms during sexual intercourse can also help prevent the spread of AIDS.
How many people in the world are living with AIDS?
According to the World Health Organization approximately 36.
7 million people were living with AIDS in 2015.
How many people have died from AIDS?
Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic approximately 35 million people have died from the disease.
Where does AIDS occur most commonly?
AIDS occurs most commonly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Who is most at risk for AIDS?
Anyone can get AIDS but people who are most at risk are those who have unprotected sex or share needles with someone who is infected with HIV.
What are the long-term effects of AIDS?
The long-term effects of AIDS can include weight loss diarrhea fatigue and opportunistic infections.
AIDS can also lead to death.
How is AIDS treated?
There is no cure for AIDS but there are treatments available that can prolong a person’s life.
These treatments include antiretroviral therapy which slows the progression of HIV and prophylactic therapy which helps prevent opportunistic infections.
What is antiretroviral therapy?
Antiretroviral therapy is a treatment for HIV that slows the progression of the virus.
What is prophylactic therapy?
Prophylactic therapy is a treatment that helps prevent opportunistic infections in people with AIDS.
