Risks & Prevention
We know more about HIV than we did even ten years ago. That means we can take steps to decrease our risks and stop the spread of the virus. There are certain activities that are considered higher-risk, yet with the right tools, we can minimize our risks.
What are high-risk events?
- Unprotected anal or vaginal sex
- Sharing contaminated needles, syringes, and other drug injection equipment
- Sharing contaminated sex toys
- Receiving unsafe injections, blood transfusions, and tissue transplantation
- Medical procedures using unsterilized equipment
- Accidental needle stick injuries among health workers
How can I protect myself and prevent the spread of HIV?
The best ways to protect yourself are through avoiding sharing needles or other drug injection equipment, and using condoms correctly during any sexual encounter. Additionally, there are now HIV prevention medicines out there, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
Getting tested regularly and knowing your HIV status also empowers you in taking steps to avoid contracting or passing on the virus.
When should I get tested for HIV?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once. If your last HIV test was negative, the test was more than one year ago, and you can answer yes to any of the following questions, then you should get an HIV test as soon as possible:
* Are you a man who has had sex with another man?
* Have you had sex -anal or vaginal- with a partner who has HIV?
* Have you had more than one sex partner since your last HIV test?
* Have you injected drugs and shared needles, syringes, or other injection drug equipment (for example, cookers) with others?
* Have you exchanged sex for drugs or money?
* Have you been diagnosed with, or treated for, another sexually transmitted disease infection?
* Have you been diagnosed with or treated for hepatitis or tuberculosis (TB)?
* Have you had sex with someone who could answer "yes" to any of the above questions or someone whose sexual history you don't know?
If you are over 64 years of age and at risk for HIV, your health care provider may recommend HIV testing.
Before having sex for the first time with a new partner, talk about your sexual and drug-use history, disclose your HIV status, and consider getting tested for HIV together.
If you've been tested for HIV and your result is negative, but you continue to do things that put you at risk, you should get tested again in 3 months.
Can I have unprotected sex if I am HIV positive?
When people with HIV take effective treatment, the amount of the virus in their body fluids decreases to the point where they cannot pass HIV on to their sexual partner(s). PrEP or PEP can also help protect your partner(s) if taken as instructed.
HIV is preventable, and there are numerous ways to reduce your risk. Additionally, early detection can lead to early treatment and better outcomes, allowing individuals with HIV to live long, normal, healthy lives.
