HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a lifelong serious infection that can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) if left untreated. There are many myths about how HIV is transmitted, so don't think what you're hearing must be true. Educate yourself before you inject drugs or have sex, even if you think the sex is safe or "not real sex."
Step
Part 1 of 4: Understanding HIV Transmission
Step 1. Know which fluids contain HIV
A person infected with HIV cannot transmit it by sneezing or shaking hands, like the common cold. An uninfected person can get HIV if they come into contact with any of the following fluids:
- Blood
- Semen and pre-semen (semen and pre-semen)
- Rectal fluid (fluid found in the rectum/anus)
- Vaginal discharge
- Milk
Step 2. Protect areas prone to HIV infection
The safest way to avoid HIV is to avoid contact with all the fluids mentioned above. However, the following areas of the body are most susceptible to infection when exposed to infected fluids:
- Anal
- Vagina
- penis
- Mouth
- Cuts and sores, especially if they bleed.
Step 3. Perform an HIV test on yourself and your partner
Many people become infected with HIV without realizing that they have the virus. An HIV test at a health clinic is the only way to know for sure that a person does not have the virus. A "negative" result means you don't have the virus, while a "positive" result means you are infected with HIV.
- Many areas have HIV/AIDS clinics that provide free screening.
- Usually you can get the results within an hour, but these results are not 100% reliable. For accurate results, have the test sent to a laboratory or have you examined a second time by a different person.
- Even if your HIV test is negative, you can still get the initial infection. Take precautions as if you had been exposed to HIV for 6 months and come back for a second test.
Step 4. Have a secure interaction
The following activities do not pose a high risk of transmitting HIV:
- Hugging, shaking hands or touching an HIV positive person.
- Sharing a bathroom or toilet with an HIV positive person.
- Kissing an HIV positive person - unless there is a tear or sore in the person's mouth. The risk of contracting HIV through kissing is very small, unless blood is visible.
- A person who does not have HIV can never "create" it and transmit it through sexual intercourse or other means. However, it is not possible to know if a person is HIV negative with 100% certainty.
Part 2 of 4: Practice Safer Sex
Step 1. Have sex with fewer and more trusted partners
The fewer people you have sex with, the lower the chance that one of them will be infected with HIV. The risk is lowest in "closed" relationships where the people involved only have sex with each other. Even so, keep getting tested for HIV and follow safe sex habits. There is always the possibility that one of the parties to the couple is unfaithful.
Step 2. Choose a type of low-risk sexual relationship
The following sexual activities have almost no risk of transmitting HIV, even if one of the parties involved is infected with the virus:
- Erotic massage
- Masturbation or hand work (hand to penis), without sharing bodily fluids.
- Using sex toys on your partner, without sharing. To be on the safe side, put a condom on the device every time you use it and wash it afterward.
- Finger to vaginal or finger to rectal contact. There is a possibility of transmission through this method if the finger used is injured or scratched. Increase safety by wearing medical gloves and water-based lubricants.
Step 3. Practice safer oral sex
There is a significant risk of infection if you perform oral sex on the penis of someone who is HIV positive. It is rare, but not impossible to get HIV from someone using their mouth on your penis or vagina or from having oral sex on your vagina. Take the following preventive steps to minimize the risk and avoid the transmission of other diseases:
- If the sex involves the penis, put a condom on the organ. Latex condoms are the most effective protection, followed by polyurethane condoms. Do not use condoms made from sheep intestines. Use flavored condoms if you want to improve the taste.
- If the sex involves the vagina or anus, place a dental dam (dental dam) over it. If you don't have one, cut an unlubricated condom or use a natural latex rubber sheet.
- Don't let anyone ejaculate in your mouth.
- Consider avoiding oral sex while on your period.
- Avoid brushing or flossing your teeth before or after oral sex as this can cause bleeding.
Step 4. Protect yourself during vaginal sex
Inserting the penis into the vagina causes a high chance of HIV transmission for both parties involved, especially for the woman. Minimize this risk by using a latex condom or female condom - but don't wear them together. Always use a water-based lubricant to reduce the chance of the condom tearing.
- The outer ring of the female condom should remain around the penis and outside the vagina at all times.
- Other forms of contraception do not protect you from HIV. Pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation does not protect you from HIV.
- It is possible, though not certain, that people who have undergone male-to-female sex reassignment surgery may contract HIV more easily.
Step 5. Be very careful when having anal sex
Rectal tissue is very easy to tear and damage during sex. This causes the risk of transmission of the virus to be high for the person inserting the penis and very high for the person receiving the penis. Consider sexual activity in other ways as described above. If you have anal sex, use a latex condom and a large amount of water-based lubricant.
Female condoms may be effective during anal sex, but this has never been studied in depth. Some organizations recommend removing the inner hoop, while others don't recommend it
Step 6. Store and use condoms properly
Learn how to use and remove a condom or female condom. Most importantly, don't forget to pinch the end of the condom before putting on the male condom and grip the bottom closed when you take it off. Before having sexual intercourse, make sure the condom is properly cared for.
- Never use oil-based lubricants with latex or polysoprene condoms, as they can tear the condom.
- Use condoms before their expiration date.
- Store condoms at room temperature and not in purses or other places where they could be damaged.
- Use condoms that are sufficient and fit but not too tight.
- Do not spread the condom to check for tears.
Step 7. Avoid activities that increase the risk of transmission
No matter what type of sexual intercourse you have, some activities increase the risk of transmission. Be aware of the following factors:
- Rough sex increases the chances of the condom tearing.
- Avoid spermicides that hang N-9 (nonoxynol-9). This substance can cause irritation to the vagina and increase the chances of the condom tearing.
- Do not clean the vagina or rectum with a douche before having sex. Doing so can cause vaginal and rectal irritation or eliminate bacteria that help fight infection. If you need to clean the area, clean it gently with soap and water instead.
Step 8. Avoid alcohol and drugs before sexual intercourse
Substances that affect your mental state increase your chances of making bad decisions such as having unprotected sex. Have sex only when you are conscious or make plans ahead of time to protect yourself.
Part 3 of 4: Avoiding HIV from Nonsexual Sources
Step 1. Avoid body modification by untrusted parties
Avoid body piercings or tattoos performed by anyone other than a certified professional in a well-maintained professional setting. All needles used must be brand new and you should see the artist unsealing the packaging at the beginning of your meeting. Use of contaminated instruments is likely to result in HIV transmission.
Step 2. Use clean needles and equipment
Before injecting any substance, make sure the needle you are using has been stored in a clean container and has not been used by anyone else before. Never share cotton balls, water containers or other medicinal equipment with other injecting drug users. Sterile needles are available at pharmacies or in free needle exchange programs in some areas.
In most places, you don't have to explain why you bought or traded needles
Step 3. Cleaning your needles in a bleach solution is the last resort
There's no way you can completely disinfect needles on your own. There will always be a possibility for used needles to transmit HIV. Only use this method if you really have to and don't expect it to completely protect you.
- Fill the syringe with clean tap water or bottled water. Shake or tap the syringe to stir the water. Wait for 30 seconds then drain and discard all the water present.
- Repeat the first step a few times, then a few more times until no blood is visible.
- Fill the syringe with a high strength bleach solution. Shake or tap and wait for 30 seconds. Spray it out and discard the solution.
- Rinse the syringe with water.
Step 4. Stop using addictive drugs
Addiction puts drug users at increased risk of getting HIV. The only sure way to eliminate the risk of transmitting HIV from injectable drugs is to stop injecting them. Visit a rehabilitation facility in your area for help and more information.
Step 5. Be careful when handling contaminated objects
Whether you are a drug user or a healthcare worker, you must be very careful around used syringes. In a hospital, assume all fluids have the potential to transmit infection. Assume that all sharp or broken utensils can be contaminated by infected fluids. Use gloves, face mask and long sleeves. Pick up contaminated objects using tongs or other tools and dispose of them in a clear container or biohazard bag. Disinfect all skin, hands and surfaces that have been exposed to infected objects or blood.
Part 4 of 4: Treatment and Examination
Step 1. Consider using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for long-term protection
These once-daily pills can greatly reduce the risk of HIV infection, but only if used as prescribed. PrEP is recommended for people who do not have HIV, but face a partner who is HIV positive or is frequently exposed to infected objects.
- Visit your doctor every 3 months while taking PrEP to check your HIV status and monitor for kidney problems.
- There is no known effect of PrEP on the fetus, but there haven't been too many studies on it. Consult your doctor if you are taking PrEP and are pregnant.
Step 2. Use Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PPP) immediately after exposure to HIV
If you think you have been exposed to HIV, report it immediately to a health worker at an HIV clinic or hospital. If you start taking PPH drugs as soon as possible, and no less than 72 hours after exposure, there is still a chance for you to fight off the HIV infection. You must take medication (usually two or three types of medication) every day for 28 days or as directed by your health care provider.
- Because this step is a way of protection that cannot be guaranteed, you still have to undergo an HIV test after the treatment process is complete and have a re-examination 3 months later. Until you test negative, tell your partner that you may have HIV.
- If you are often exposed to sources of infection, take PrEP every day as described above.
Step 3. Understand about treatment as prevention or treatment as prevention
HIV-positive people who take antiretroviral drugs can be quite successful in managing their infection rates. Some of those who are HIV positive see ongoing treatment as an important tool to help prevent them from transmitting the infection to their HIV negative partner. Opinions of researchers and community workers on HIV prevention are divided about how effective this message is. Numerous studies have shown that people who practice "treatment as prevention" (TaSP) are more likely to ignore other forms of protection such as condoms. Although treatment can certainly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV infection, it is not a guarantee. Everyone involved should receive regular checks to gauge the level of risk involved.
Step 4. Understand about an undetectable viral load
A person infected with HIV should receive regular tests to determine the "viral load" or concentration of HIV in body fluids. With continued treatment, HIV-positive people can have an "undetectable viral load". It is important to understand that a person with an undetectable viral load still has HIV and can still transmit HIV to their partner. Although a number of studies have shown promising results about how low (or potentially none at all) rates of HIV transmission are, more research is needed for accurate risk assessment. Some people with an undetectable viral load in their blood may have significantly more viral load in semen or other body fluids.
Step 5. Get yourself checked regularly
All the suggestions mentioned here are risk reduction techniques. No sex or drug use is completely safe. Mistakes can happen. If you engage in any behavior that could lead to infection, including safer sex with someone you know is HIV positive, get yourself checked. Check every three months as long as you continue to do the same behavior, and also do additional checks three and six months after you stop doing it.
Tips
- Watch your own body. Be aware of any cuts or tears in the mouth, hands or pubic area and do not allow these areas to come into contact with infected fluids.
- If you have unprotected sex, get checked regularly for other sexually transmitted infections as well. There are vaccines available to protect against other diseases such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Human Papilloma Virus.
Warning
- There is no such thing as sex or drug use without risk. The most important thing is that you have calculated and selected the level of risk tolerance that you feel comfortable with.
- It is possible to spread HIV and other infections to other partners, even if you are operating within a level of risk tolerance that is comfortable for you. You should always discuss safer sex habits and your philosophies with each partner and make an agreement before engaging in sexual activity or exchanging bodily fluids.
