AIDS myth: I can get HIV from mosquitoes
There is a lot of misinformation on the subject of acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS, and how it can be transmitted. AIDS was first recognized by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1981, it is believed to have originated in west-central Africa. The precursor for AIDS is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV/AIDS is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluid with an effected individual. There are many programs promoting safe sex and using clean needles, as a way to help slow the spread of the virus.
One common misconception is that mosquitoes can spread the AIDS virus. Mosquitoes are responsible for the spread of multiple diseases, but AIDS is not one of them. Mosquitoes are most notably responsible for the transfer of Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Encephalitides viruses.
Malaria is a Mosquito-born disease, which is caused by a parasite. There are three types of mosquitoes in the western hemisphere that are known to transmit malaria. Pregnant women have increased susceptibility to malaria. Malaria is the 5th leading cause of death from infectious viruses worldwide. Nearly 90% of malaria deaths worldwide occur in Africa. Yellow fever is another disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms of yellow fever include severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever. You can prevent yellow fever by the use of insect repellent, protective clothing and by getting a vaccination. If you are traveling to tropical regions of Africa or South America it would be a wise decision to get the vaccine before you travel.
Encephalitides viruses include the West Nile virus, which was the topic of an outbreak discussion in the early 2000's. West Nile virus can cause serious damage, including death or life altering effects. It's important to wear insect repellent and long sleeves when in an area that mosquitoes are common. It is important to dump out standing water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
The previous diseases were a few examples of virus's mosquitoes could transmit. There are still other diseases that can be transmitted and for more information on these and other mosquito born disease you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
For mosquitoes to transmit AIDS, the mosquito would need to take a blood meal on an infected individual. After the blood meal the virus would need to survive in the mosquitoes system for a couple of days for it to get into the mosquitoes saliva glands. The way a mosquito's mouth works is not like a hypodermic needle, meaning it doesn't push out what it takes in. Instead a mosquitoes mouth is separated into two sections. It takes in a blood meal through one side while injecting saliva through the other side.
The main reason mosquitoes cannot transmit AIDS is that the virus cannot stay alive in a mosquitoes system long enough to make it into the saliva. Mosquitoes view the virus as food, so when it takes a blood meal on an infected individual the cells with the AIDS virus are digested along with the rest of the blood cells.
The myth that mosquitoes can transmit AIDS has been reported in tabloids and on the news. But the fact that mosquitoes digest the virus and therefore cannot pass it on has not been as widely reported. That is the part of the reason that myths like these stick around. With proper education fact or fiction could properly be defined on the subject of AIDS.