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Can Mosquitoes Transmit HIV or AIDS?
Mosquitoes are widely known to carry and spread disease. They are able to pass on diseases that they contract by biting an infected human or animal. The question then arises, can mosquitoes pass on HIV if they bite an infected individual? Thankfully, they are unable to spread HIV or AIDS. This can be attributed to both the biology of mosquitoes and of the virus.
- Mosquitoes cannot become infected with HIV, and thus are unable to transmit it to their hosts.
- A mosquito’s proboscis is made up of two tubes: one that draws blood and another that expels saliva. Because the mosquito doesn’t pass on any blood to its host, HIV is not transferred through the bite.
- Even if a mosquito is carrying HIV when it bites a host, it would not be enough to infect a bite victim. The virus breaks down in the mosquito after just a day or two.
Do Mosquitoes Transfer Blood to People Through Bites?
Although mosquitoes take blood from a host, they do not inject or circulate it back to anyone else. This is because of their unique proboscis. It is made up of two tubes, one that sends saliva into the host and another that draws blood. This two-tube system creates an inability to transmit HIV, which is only passed between people through infected blood. Any HIV-positive blood that a mosquito ingests will be processed in their bodies.
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How Long Can HIV Survive in a Mosquito's Body?
When a mosquito draws the blood of an HIV-positive individual, the virus will die out in just 1-2 days, which is how long it takes for the mosquito to digest the blood. HIV is unable to make copies of itself inside a mosquito’s gut. In humans, HIV binds to T cells and replicates. As the mosquito undergoes its normal digestion process, any HIV inside is destroyed.
Have Mosquitoes Ever Been Able to Transmit HIV?
The bottom line is that you do not need to worry about mosquitoes passing on HIV. Research has shown that someone would have to be targeted by millions of mosquitoes that are harboring the virus for even a single unit of HIV to be passed along. When it comes to mosquitoes and diseases, it’s important to think about the ones that they do carry and spread.
If mosquitoes are bothering you, schedule an appointment with mosquito control experts.
Can Mosquitoes Transmit HIV or AIDS? in Virginia
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