Bloodborne HIV: Don't Get Stuck!

We began this website in 2011. Since then, a lot has changed for the better with respect to HIV/AIDS. African governments with donor help finally made HIV testing easier and stopped collaborating with Western companies asking exorbitant prices for AIDS drugs. As of 2023, more than 90% of HIV-infected adults in sub-Saharan Africa were aware of their infections, allowing people to see their sexual risks. And 83% of HIV-positive Africans were getting antiretroviral treatment, extending their lives and reducing transmission to anyone else. From 2011 to 2023, the number of new infections and AIDS-related deaths both fell by more than half across sub-Saharan Africa.

But one thing has been left behind: no African government has investigated to find and stop the skin-piercing healthcare (and maybe also cosmetic) procedures that continue to infect patients and clients. Experts in foreign and international organizations remain silent about the failure to investigate unexplained HIV infections in Africa. Instead, scientists, bureaucrats, and providers take advantage of colonial-era racial stereotypes to blame almost all HIV infections in Africa on sexual behavior, stigmatizing not only infected Africans, but all Africans. Endorsing such racist, pornographic fantasies distracts attention from easily preventable transmission via skin-piercing procedures.

Are you at risk from bloodborne HIV?

Do you know anyone with an unexplained HIV infection (not from sex, injection drug use, or mother-to-child)? If so, you may be at risk. Based on what governments around the world have found when they investigate unexplained infections: the most likely sources are skin-piercing healthcare procedures, including (BUT NOT ONLY!) injections. Other less likely sources are skin-piercing cosmetic procedures such as tattooing, manicures, etc. HIV can survive on skin-piercing instruments (such as razors) for hours even when dry and for weeks when wet (such as in a syringe). HIV transmits much more efficiently through skin-piercing instruments than through sex.

How to protect yourself?

1. Start an investigation: Talk with friends and neighbors. Do they know of other unexplained infections? Do they have an idea about what facility (hospital, dental clinic, pharmacy, other) might have transmitted HIV through blood-contaminated skin-piercing procedures? Such informal investigations — people talking about unexplained infections and possible sources — can build the case for government to manage a formal investigation. In a formal investigation: government staff visit suspected source facilities to see if reused instruments are reliably sterilized; invite other patients to come for HIV tests; and from knowing who was infected find and fix dangerous procedures. Publicity from investigations warns everyone — patients and providers alike — to be careful. Investigations work: In countries where governments investigated unexplained HIV infections, epidemics have been limited.

2. Avoid bloodborne risks: Ensure that whoever gives you a skin-piercing healthcare or cosmetic procedure uses new or sterilized instruments (see menu on the right). Countries where more people are aware of bloodborne risks have less HIV. Worry about skin-piercing instruments, but DON’T WORRY ABOUT THINGS WITH NO RISK! Bug bites and everyday activities are safe. People with HIV have skin that keeps the virus in, and others have skin that keeps the virus out.

Controversies

Other sections in this website (see the menu on the right) consider controversies related to HIV in Africa, including male circumcision, Depo-Provera injections for birth control, and unethical medical research.

The last section in the menu on the right (Brainless scarecrows, cowardly lions, heartless tin woodmen) considers the experts and institutions who, knowingly or unknowingly, have mismanaged the response to Africa’s HIV epidemics.

Note: We do NOT discuss HIV transmission through anal or vaginal sex, mother-to-child, or injection of illegal drugs. You can find information on these risks from many other sources.