How can i reduce my RISK
Protect yourself from HIV. Find out how you can make changes to reduce your risk.
Protecting yourself from HIV starts with understanding how it’s transmitted and knowing the steps you can take to stay safe. There are proven ways to lower your risk. HIV prevention is about knowledge, action, and care–for yourself and for others.
ABSTINENCE
Abstinence from sexual activity is the only sure way to avoid acquiring HIV through sexual contact. If a person is not sexually active, there is virtually no chance of contracting HIV or any sexually transmitted infection through sexual activity.
Abstinence from sexual activity is the only sure way to avoid acquiring HIV through sexual contact. If a person is not sexually active, there is virtually no chance of contracting HIV or any sexually transmitted infection through sexual activity.
MONOGAMY
Having sex with only one partner who tests negative for HIV is a way to be sexually active and not risk acquiring HIV. Mutual monogamy means that both partners in a relationship are only having sex with each other.
Having sex with only one partner who tests negative for HIV is a way to be sexually active and not risk acquiring HIV. Mutual monogamy means that both partners in a relationship are only having sex with each other.
PrEP
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is medication taken to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. PrEP should be used with other prevention methods, including the consistent and correct use of condoms, to reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is medication taken to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV. PrEP should be used with other prevention methods, including the consistent and correct use of condoms, to reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy.
Condoms
Condoms are an important tool for HIV prevention. When used properly, condoms create a barrier that prevents transmission of HIV. To find the nearest location where free condoms are available, call the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline.
Condoms are an important tool for HIV prevention. When used properly, condoms create a barrier that prevents transmission of HIV. To find the nearest location where free condoms are available, call the Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline.
BreastFeeding
Because there are documented cases showing that HIV can be transmitted from mother to infant through breastfeeding, women with HIV should avoid breastfeeding.
Universal Precautions
Universal precautions means approaching infection control with an understanding that all human blood and certain human body fluids have the potential to transmit disease. Universal precautions include hand washing, using personal protective equipment, properly disposing of needles, and cleaning and disinfecting spills. Universal precautions may look different in different environments.
Universal precautions means approaching infection control with an understanding that all human blood and certain human body fluids have the potential to transmit disease. Universal precautions include hand washing, using personal protective equipment, properly disposing of needles, and cleaning and disinfecting spills. Universal precautions may look different in different environments.
PEP
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) involves taking antiretroviral medications as soon as possible after a potential exposure to HIV to reduce the likelihood of HIV acquisition. Starting PEP after a potential exposure does not guarantee HIV prevention, but the sooner PEP is started, the better.
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) involves taking antiretroviral medications as soon as possible after a potential exposure to HIV to reduce the likelihood of HIV acquisition. Starting PEP after a potential exposure does not guarantee HIV prevention, but the sooner PEP is started, the better.
Clean Needles
If an injection drug user is sharing needles, needles and syringes must be cleaned. Ordinary household bleach drawn into the needle and syringe will inactivate HIV. The bleach must be drawn into the syringe, shaken, and squirted out. This process must be completed three times. Then, water must be drawn in, shaken, and squirted to thoroughly rinse out the bleach. This process should also be completed three times since injecting bleach into the veins can be more deadly than HIV.
Substance use
Substance use does not necessarily put people at risk for HIV directly; however, having impaired judgment can compromise your ability to take measures to prevent the transmission of HIV. Injection drug use is a significant risk factor for HIV transmission because sharing needles or syringes can transfer blood-borne pathogens.
Substance use does not necessarily put people at risk for HIV directly; however, having impaired judgment can compromise your ability to take measures to prevent the transmission of HIV. Injection drug use is a significant risk factor for HIV transmission because sharing needles or syringes can transfer blood-borne pathogens.