How can I prevent HIV

How can I prevent HIV?

Focusing on HIV prevention is one of those things that will help you live a fuller and happier life because if you’ve been tested and don’t have HIV. It will not cause an AIDS problem that may spread widely in the future. Nearly 50 percent of people with HIV are unaware that they have it. So they can pass it on to you if you have risky behavior.

HIV prevention

There are many ways to reduce the chances of contracting HIV.

“The best way to prevent HIV is to not SEX or share needles at any time. Sharing needles for any reason is very risky.”

You are vulnerable to contracting HIV if you exchange bodily fluids with another person. This includes the following that can be shared during sex: semen, vaginal fluids.

Use condoms.

Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and other STIs when you have sex because there will be no ejaculate of sperm (come) to give or get some STIs. Please make sure to put the condom on before the penis touches the vagina, mouth, or even anus. Store condoms in a cool, dry place. Do not keep it in your car because the temperature is high. Also do not keep it in your wallet, it may cause condoms to tear or deteriorate.

Get tested.

Be sure you and your partner are tested for HIV and other STIs. Talk to each other about the test results before you have sex. Having an STI increases your chances of becoming infected with HIV during sex. If your partner has an STI in addition to HIV, that also increases your risk of HIV infection. If you have an STIs, you should also get tested for HIV. Knowing your HIV status is important for several reasons. If your HIV test result is positive, it can be useful because you can begin treatment right away, avoid transmitting HIV or contact anyone who may have been exposed to get tested.

Be monogamous.

Having sex with just one partner can lower your risk for HIV and other STIs. After being tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That means that you have sex only with each other and no one else. Limit your number of sexual partners. Your risk of getting HIV and other STIs goes up with the number of partners you have.

prevention HIV

Do not share needles.

Blood borne infections are commonly spread by people who inject drugs and share needles or syringes. Diseases that are spread this way include: HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Always be conscious.

Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Alcohol or drug abuse may lead to risky behaviors such as sharing needles to inject drugs or not using a condom when you have sex. You should always be conscious especially when having sex with strangers. If you go to a bar at night or get to know your partner through the application. By being mindful, you can protect yourself from the risk of HIV including being safe.

Get PrEP

If you have the opportunity to change sexual partners often. There are medications you can take to lower your chances of contracting HIV. We recommend that you take PrEP daily. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication you take daily by mouth to lower your chance of contracting HIV. if:

  • your partner living with HIV
  • you are sexually active but not in a monogamous relationship
  • inject yourself with drugs with unsterilized or shared needles

Talk to your health care provider if you think PrEP may be right for you. PrEP can be prescribed only by a healthcare provider.

There is also a medication you can take following a sexual encounter if you are concerned about contracting HIV. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). You have to take the initial dose of this medication within 72 hours of your sexual encounter and then follow up with additional doses for 28 days.

To protect yourself, you need to take an honest look at your personal risk factors and design an individual prevention strategy to minimize the risks. In the end, each person is different and has specific goals, such as starting a family or wanting to have children. Therefore, if you study this information, the more that you know about HIV and how to avoid it, the better protected you will be.

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