HIV does not survive for very long outside of the human body. HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host, except under laboratory conditions. Therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.

Generally the fragile nature of the virus prevents it from surviving for a substantial amount of time in the open air. The only studies on the survival of HIV outside the body have been conducted in the laboratory under controlled scientific conditions. These studies have found HIV is not affected by extreme cold, but it is destroyed by temperatures of 60 degrees centigrade and above.

Recent studies have shown that HCV can survive outside the body and still transmit infection for 16 hours, but not longer than 4 days.

Who is a carrier of hepatitis B virus? Sometimes, people who are infected with HBV never recover fully from the infection; they carry the virus and can infect others for the rest of their lives. In the United States, about one million people carry HBV.

No sooner the body fluid containing the HIV virus starts to dry, 90% to 99% of the virus present becomes disabled upon drying. HIV does not survive very long outside the body.

Some research suggests that the virus can remain active in dried blood for up to 2 months. More recent research (with chimpanzee blood) has found that the virus will remain active for at between 16 hours and 4 days.

Information provided by Hypertufa Forum contributor GardenChicken:) Here in Calgary the average winter temperatures are generally several degrees below freezing. We have regular freeze/thaw cycles throughout winter and occasionally week-long col

In the UK, life expectancy for children has improved and subsequently increased with the development of combination therapy. Today for example, adolescents who acquired HIV at birth have now reached their 20th birthday. Therefore, as treatment and research advances there is hope for a much improved quality of life. There is a small core of children who are "long-term non-progressors" aged between 12-16 who have yet to start on any HIV therapy.

No, the survival numbers indicate statistical estimates (probabilities) for the median survival for other patients who received that treatment. The survival numbers should only be used as general information for three reasons: First, although oncologists who administered the treatment calculated the survival number for the patients who received the treatment, the number is based on statistical probabilities. This means that these are estimates only.

Detectable antibodies usually develop within four weeks to three months of HIV infection. Some people have symptoms during this time. They are usually not severe. They include slight fever headaches fatigue muscle aches and swollen glands. These symptoms may last for a few weeks. There are usually no symptoms for a long time after the antibodies have developed with the current average span of asymptomatic HIV disease standing at just over ten years after point of infection.

All children should have their height and weight plotted on a standard growth chart as part of routine checkup visits with their physician. Children who are only as tall as other children two or more years younger than they are or whose growth rate slows down from a previously normal growth curve may require further testing for GHD. A pediatric endocrinologist or a physician who specializes in treating children with growth and hormone problems should be consulted to diagnose GHD.

HIV impedes the proper functioning of the immune system which is our body's shield against disease. Individuals with the virus develop harmful conditions (called opportunistic infections) that don't usually affect other people. Some people develop symptoms shortly after being infected. For others it can take more than 10 years.

No. The test for HIV can only tell you if you have been infected or not. Transmission of the virus does not necessarily occur every time exposure occurs. The only way for an individual to tell if he/she has been infected with HIV is to be tested. If you are unsure of your partner's status, you may want to consider talking to him/her about it and using protection (latex condoms or dental dams) to reduce your risk.

A risk of HIV transmission does exist if instruments contaminated with blood are either not sterilized or disinfected or are used inappropriately between clients. CDC recommends that instruments that are intended to penetrate the skin be used once, then disposed of or thoroughly cleaned and sterilized.

There is very high risk of when getting HIV when having a tattoo, if new set of tools are not used on each person. Since there will always be a tendency of blood stain when a tattoo is being impressed on someone, HIV can easily pass from the blood of an infected tattoo client to an uninfected person, if the same materials are being used for their services.

A risk of HIV transmission does exist if instruments contaminated with blood are either not sterilized or disinfected or are used inappropriately between clients. Instruments that are intended to penetrate the skin should be used once, then disposed of or thoroughly cleaned and sterilized.

The risk of getting HIV from tattoo or body piercing needles exists if the needles are not properly sterilized or disinfected. If you are thinking about getting a tattoo or piercing done, ask the staff at the establishment what precautions they take to prevent the spread of HIV.

Blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breastmilk, and other body fluids containing blood taken from HIV-positive people can contain high concentrations of HIV. The virus also might be present in the fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord, fluid surrounding bone joints and fluid surrounding a fetus of an HIV-positive pregnant woman. HIV has been found in the saliva and tears of some HIV-positive people but in very low quantities.

Apart from the constant need for blood, regular blood donations are needed because blood has a short storage life. Whole blood and red cells can be stored for up to 21 – 42 days depending on the anticoagulant-preservative used. On the other hand, platelets only last from 3-5 days and fresh frozen plasma can be kept for 12 months.

Although HIV can survive outside the body for a few hours in certain bodily fluids, it cannot function when dry. The Virus cannot infect some one unless it enters the body.