Protect yourself from HIV infection. Find out how you can make changes in your lifestyle to reduce your risk.

Abstinence

Abstinence from sexual activity is the only sure way to not become infected through sexual contact. If a person is not sexually active (through oral, anal or vaginal contact), there is virtually no chance of contracting HIV or any STD through sexual activity.

Monogamy

Having sex with only one uninfected partner is a way to be sexually active and not risk infection with HIV. The words mutual monogamy mean that both partners in a relationship are only having sex with each other.

Condoms

Latex condoms provide a barrier of protection for those who choose to have one or more sex partners. When used properly, latex condoms create a barrier that prevents the virus from spreading from an infected individual to someone else. Latex condoms are approximately 90 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and the passage of almost all STDs. This figure would be about 98-99 percent if everyone who used condoms used them correctly. Most often, human error causes condoms to fail.

Latex condoms may be obtained free of charge at any county health department in the state of Florida. Local AIDS services organizations and other community-based organizations also distribute free condoms. To find the nearest location where free condoms are available, call the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline at 1-800-FLA-AIDS. Other condoms that can be used include polyurethane condoms and female condoms

Drugs

The most efficient means of HIV transmission is blood-to-blood transmission. It may take as little as a few drops for infection to occur. If a person injects drugs either intravenously (into the vein) or intramuscularly (into the muscle) and shares needles, they are engaging in a behavior that puts them at great risk for transmitting HIV. Any type of needle-sharing may transmit HIV. It is not just heroin, cocaine or some other injected street drug use that transmits HIV. If an infected bodybuilder injects anabolic steroids and shares the needle with someone else, the virus may be transmitted. Sharing tattoo needles, or sharing needles for ear or body piercing, may also be a means of transmitting HIV. Intravenous infection could also occur among seniors who are diabetic and share insulin needles. Injecting drugs and sharing needles is the behavior accounting for the second highest number of reported AIDS cases (behind sexual contact) in the United States. Injecting drugs and sharing needles is certainly a behavior that puts an individual at risk of acquiring HIV. Other drug and alcohol use, including the abuse of prescription drugs, may also affect judgment and put a person at risk of engaging in behaviors that can transmit HIV.

Universal Precautions

The observation of universal precautions involves the assumption that any patient could be infected with HIV and/or hepatitis and the responsibility to take appropriate precautions. Universal precautions include such practices as hand washing, the use of protective barriers, proper disposal of needles, and cleaning and disinfecting spills. Health care workers must take precautions when working with the body fluids of others. Hands should be washed properly and frequently. Latex or plastic gloves, goggles, masks, and protective aprons should be worn during appropriate times and procedures to reduce the risk of exposure of skin and mucous membranes. Needles used for the injection of medicines or the drawing of blood should never be recapped or manipulated by hand in any way. All needles should be disposed of properly in puncture-proof containers. Some healthcare workers have reported contracting HIV through accidental needle sticks from recapping used needles. When cleaning and disinfecting spills, visible material should be removed with disposable towels and the area decontaminated with a 1:10 solution of bleach and water. If universal precautions are followed at all times, infections are not likely to be transmitted in the health care setting.