 Abstinence - No drugs and no sex means no infection. Abstinence from risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex and drug use, is the only sure way to protect yourself from HIV. Being with one person or mutual monogamy - Having sex with only one person who is not infected means no infection. Monogamy means that a person has sex only with one other person. Mutual monogamy means that two individuals have sex with each other but not with anyone else. If you choose to have sex, be with one partner and know your partner's HIV infection status. Monogamy will not protect a couple if either person is shooting drugs and sharing needles with other drug users. Condoms or Safer Sex - Since abstinence and mutual monogamy are not prevention options for some people, safer sex or having sex using precautions must be practiced. If a person has more than one partner or doesn't know his or her partner well, latex or polyurethane condoms, used properly, can help protect a person from HIV. Latex or polyurethane condoms act as a barrier to bodily fluids. Condoms need to be used from start to finish during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Condoms should be unrolled all the way onto the penis, leaving a space at the tip. Each condom should be used only once and never beyond the expiration date. Condoms can only protect you from HIV infection if used properly and every time you have sex. Use only water-based lubricants with latex condoms. Female condoms, when used properly, provide an option for females who want to prevent infection with HIV or other STDs. Female condoms and male condoms should not be used together. Drugs - If needles are not shared during drug use, no infection will occur. It is possible to disinfect needles and syringes with ordinary bleach before sharing. Bleach should be drawn into the needle and syringe three times and shaken each time. Then water should be drawn into the syringe three times to rinse out the bleach. Standard Universal Precautions Standard Universal Precautions are infection-control procedures. Health care workers, barbers, cosmetologists, emergency workers or any other professional who may come in contact with another person's bodily fluids should assume all patients/clients are infected with HIV. Precautions such as wearing latex gloves, sterilizing medical tools and washing hands are essential for preventing HIV transmission. |
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