Minimizing Your Risk

Minimizing Your Risk

HIV is not an easy virus to transmit. It can only be passed from body to body through blood, semen, pre-ejaculate (pre-semen), vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

There are several steps a person can take to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

1. If you decide to have sex, discuss HIV and other sexually transmitted infections with your sexual partner, and only have sex with a partner who agrees to have safe sex.

To practise safer sex:

• Use a latex or polyurethane condom or a female condom consistently and correctly whenever you have anal or vaginal sex;
• Use a latex or polyurethane condom or a dental dam consistently and correctly every time you have oral sex;
• Use only water-based lubricants with latex condoms, as oil-based lubricants like Vaseline, can weaken a latex condom and cause it to break;
• Don't share sex toys without properly cleaning them first; and
• Refrain from kissing when there is the possibility of blood exchange via bleeding cuts, open sores, or ulcers in the mouth.

2. If you are injecting drugs or steroids, practise safer injection:

• Never share needles or injection equipment; and
• Always use a new needle and new injection equipment (cookers, spoons, water, etc.) every time you inject.

3. If you are pregnant and concerned about HIV, talk to your doctor about being tested. Early treatment with medication can prevent the transmission of HIV from a mother to her baby.

4. If you are getting a tattoo, body piercing, electrolysis, or acupuncture, ensure these activities are only carried out by professionals who follow universal infection-control precautions similar to those used in hospitals (see Need More Info below for information on universal infection-control precautions). The law requires that all needles used in these procedures are used only once and are disposed of after use.

5. If you are exposed to bodily fluids in an occupational setting, follow applicable health and safety guidelines and universal infection-control precautions (see Need More Info below for information on universal infection-control precautions). If accidental exposure to these fluids occurs through a needle-stick or a sharp-object injury or through a skin puncture, follow organizational guidelines or, in the absence of guidelines, let the wound bleed freely and go to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible.

Remember, if you have engaged in risky behaviour, get an HIV test.