How to Prevent HIV Transmission

Knowledge of HIV prevention is important for everyone, including those already living with the virus. The first step in preventing transmission of HIV is knowledge of how it is spread. Once you know more about HIV, it will be easier to change your behaviors to keep yourself and others safe.

Instructions

• 1

  Know your status. Anyone can become infected with HIV, so it is important to get tested now. People living with HIV are less likely to transmit the virus if they know they are infected. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once. If you use drugs or are sexually active, get tested at least once annually. Contact your local health department for information on free HIV testing locations.

• 2

  Refrain from intravenous drug usage. Sharing needles to inject recreational drugs puts you at a much higher risk of contracting HIV, because it is highly likely that someone else's blood will be injected into your bloodstream along with the drug. Seek rehabilitation centers and programs to help you with your addiction. If this is not an option, consider taking advantage of needle exchange programs in your community to have access to sterile needles.

• 3

  Use protection every time. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that consistent, correct usage of latex condoms is highly effective in preventing transmission of HIV. To be safe, always use a new condom every time you have sex. Male and female condoms are both effective in providing a barrier to sexually transmitted diseases. Use only water-based lubricants, as oil-based lubricants can break down the latex and cause the condom to break.

• 4

  Practice monogamy. The more sexual partners you have, the greater your risk of coming into contact with an HIV-positive person. The only way to be completely safe from the threat of HIV is to abstain from sexual activity completely. If abstinence is not an option, limit your number of sexual partners or only engage in sexual activity within a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship in which both partners have tested negative for HIV.