Help to prevent the spread of HIV

It's crystal clear that there's no vaccine to prevent HIV infection and no cure for AIDS. But it's possible to protect yourself and others from infection. That means educating yourself about HIV and avoiding any
behavior that allows HIV-infected fluids — blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk — into your body.

1. Use a new condom every time you have sex.

If you don't know the HIV status of your partner, use a new condom every time you
have anal or vaginal sex. Women can use a female condom.

Use only water-based lubricants. Oil-based lubricants can weaken condoms and causebthem to break. During oral sex use a nonlubricated, cut-open condom or a dental
dam — a piece of medical-grade latex.

2. Wear gloves: if you are going to have contact with blood or other body fluids that could
possibly contain visible blood, such as urine, feces, or vomit.

3. Cover cuts, sores, or breaks: in the skin with bandages. This applies to both you and the
person living with HIV/AIDS.

4. Wash your hands and other parts of your body immediately after contact with blood or other body fluids. Disinfect surfaces soiled with blood.

5. Avoid practices that increase the likelihood of blood contact, such as sharing of razors and
toothbrushes.

6. Use needles and other sharp instruments only when medically necessary and handle them according to recommendations for healthcare settings. (Do not put caps back on needles by hand or remove needles from
syringes. Dispose of needles in puncture-proof containers out of the reach of children
and visitors.)

7.Consider the drug Truvada. Use of the combination drug emtricitabine tenofovir (Truvada) can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted HIV infection in those who are at
high risk. Truvada is also used as an HIV treatment along with other medications.

When used to help prevent HIV infection, Truvada is only appropriate if your doctor is
certain you don't already have an HIV infection. Your doctor should also test for hepatitis B infection. If you have hepatitis B, your doctor should test your kidney function before prescribing Truvada.

Truvada must be taken daily, exactly as prescribed. Truvada should only be used along with other prevention strategies, such as condom use every time you have sex, as it doesn't protect against other sexually
transmitted infections, and it can't providebcomplete protection against HIV transmission.

If you're interested in Truvada, talk with your doctor about the potential risks and benefits
of the drug.

8. Tell your sexual partners if you have HIV. It's important to tell anyone with whom you've
had sex that you're HIV positive. Your partners need to be tested and to receive
medical care if they have the virus. They also need to know their HIV status so that they
don't infect others.

9. If you're pregnant, get medical care right away. If you're HIV-positive, you may pass the infection to your baby. But if you receive treatment during pregnancy, you can cut your baby's risk significantly.

10.Consider male circumcision. There's evidence that male circumcision can help reduce a
man's risk of acquiring HIV.