Preventing HIV Infection FAQ
Here’s some answers to some of the key questions people have about HIV/AIDS
What causes the transmission of HIV?
Does infection only occur through sex?
How do I protect myself sexually?
Are there Lower Risk Activities?
What do I need to know about Condoms?
Are there any sexual Activities that are “Risk Free”?
What happens if your partner and you are infected?
How do I Set Limits?
What causes the transmission of HIV?
HIV is found in an HIV-positive person's blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. To avoid getting HIV you must prevent these fluids from entering your body, for instance through your mouth, vagina, rectum/butt, or the opening at the tip of your penis.
Tears, sweat, and urine can’t lead to an HIV infection. You can’t spread HIV in the absence of HIV infection. If you and your partners are not infected with HIV, there is no risk. (Having an “undetectable viral load” does not mean there is no infection.)
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Does infection only occur through sex?
Even if this HIV can enter the body through blood transmission or fluid transmission to infect a person in non-sexual ways.
- HIV can be transmitted by sharing needles, cookers, cotton and water when injecting drugs, including steroids, into a vein or under the skin. If you use needles, don't share the needle or works. Make sure you always use a clean needle. If you need to share, clean your needle and syringe properly (for information about how to clean needles and how to find a Needle Exchange Program, see our links section).
- Sharing unsterilized needles for piercings or tattoos can also transmit HIV. Do not share needles for home-made piercing and tattooing. If it is being done professionally, ask about their method for sterilization of needles.
- Receiving infected blood during a transfusion can lead to HIV infection.
- HIV positive women can pass on their infection to their children during child-birth. The transmission of HIV from an infected mother to her child can be prevented almost entirely through a package of interventions, including antiretroviral drug use, safer delivery practices, and breastfeeding counseling and support.
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How do I protect myself sexually?
Safer sex practices can greatly reduce your risk of contracting aids. Be aware of the following safer sex information:
Sexual activities that we know can transmit HIV:
- Vaginal sex (a penis in a vagina) without a condom
- Anal sex (a penis in a man or woman’s rectum/butt) without a condom
- Oral sex with ejaculation (a man ejaculates/cums in his partner's mouth)
The receptive partner is more likely to be infected, although HIV may be able to enter the penis, especially if it is in contact with HIV-infected blood or vaginal secretions for a long period or if it has open wounds.
- You can still become infected with HIV and other STDs even if your male partner does not ejaculate inside of your rectum/butt or vagina.
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Are there Lower Risk Activities?
Most sexual activity carries some risk of the spread of HIV. To reduce the risk, make it more difficult for blood or bodily fluids to get into your body.
- Be aware of your body, and your partner. Cuts, sores or bleeding gums increase the risk of spread of HIV. Rough physical activity can increase the risk of infection. Even small injuries can allow HIV to get into the body.
- Use a barrier to prevent contact with blood or bodily fluid. Remember that the body's natural barrier is it's skin. If you don’t have cuts or wounds, your skin can usually protect you against infection. However, in rare cases, HIV can enter the body through the mucous membranes healthy people. The risk of infection is much higher if the membranes are damaged.
- Oral sex also posses a risk of HIV transmission, particularly if semen or vaginal fluids come in contact with bleeding gums or ulcers in the mouth. Pieces of latex (dental dams) on the vagina, or condoms on the penis, can be used as barriers during oral sex.
Condoms
- The most common artificial barrier is a condom for men. You can also use a female condom to protect the vagina or rectum during intercourse
- Using a latex lubricated condom is best for intercourse when it comes to preventing pregnancy or disease transmission. Lubricants can increase sexual stimulation. They also reduce the possibility that condoms or other barriers break. Oil-based lubricants such as oils, baseline or creams can damage latex condoms and other obstacles. Be sure to use water-based lubricants at all times when using a condom or obstacle birth control.
- If you are allergic to latex do not use lambskin condoms because they do not prevent HIV or other STD transfer. Find an alternative like polyurethane condoms.
- If you are having anal sex always use lots of lubricant. If switching from anal to vaginal sex switch condoms and remember always use a condom.
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Are there any sexual Activities that are “Risk Free”?
There are some safe activities that have no risk when it comes to the spread of HIV. These activities avoid contact with blood or bodily fluids, so there is no risk of HIV transmission.
- Abstinence (not having sex) is safe.
- Sex with one partner is safe as long as neither one of you is infected and if neither one of you ever has had sex or shared a needle with anyone else.
- Fantasy, masturbation, sex talk, and non-sexual massage will not spread HIV.
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What happens if your partner and you are infected?
Some people who are infected with HIV do not see the need to follow safer sex guidelines when they are sexual active with other infected people. It is still worthwhile to "play safe" as you may still be exposed to other STI/ST D's such as herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), or syphilis. If you already HIV positive, these diseases can be more serious.
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How do I Set Limits?
Decide have to decide how much risk you're willing to take. Know how much protection you want to use during different kinds of sexual activities. Before you have sex, think about safe sex, and define your limits. Obtain a supply of lubricants and condoms or other barriers, and make sure they are easy to find when you need it.
Communication is very important. Talk to your partner(s) about HIV and STDs. Develop skills for negotiating safer sex. If you or your partner have not been tested recently for HIV, consider HIV testing.
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