Prevention of HIV Infection

There is no cure or vaccine for HIV infection and AIDS. It is a life long condition that requires life long treatment. That's why it's so important to keep from getting it in the first place. Here are ways to keep from getting HIV:

• The best way to prevent HIV or any STD is to practice abstinence (don't have sex). Delaying having sex for the first time is another way to reduce your chances of getting an STD. Studies show that the younger people are when having sex for the first time, the more likely it is that they will get an STD. The risk of getting an STD also becomes greater over time, as the number of a person's sex partners increases.

• Have a sexual relationship with one partner who doesn't have any STDs, where you are faithful to each other (meaning that you only have sex with each other and no one else).

• Practice "safer sex." This means protecting yourself with a condom EVERY time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
  
  For vaginal sex, use a latex male condom or a female polyurethane condom. For anal sex, use a latex male condom. If needed, use only water based lubricants with male and female condoms. For oral sex, use a dental dam - a device used by dentists, made out of a rubbery material, that you place over the opening to the vagina before having oral sex. If you don't have a dental dam, you can cut an unlubricated male condom open and place it over the opening to the vagina.
  
  Even though it may be embarrassing, if you don't know how to use a male or female condom, talk to your health care provider. The biggest reason condoms don't work is because they are not used correctly.

• Be aware that condoms don't provide complete protection against STDs. But, they do decrease your chances of getting an STD. Know also that other methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms don't protect you from STDs. If you use one of these methods, be sure to also use a condom every time you have sex.

• Limit your number of sexual partners. Your risk of getting HIV increases with the number of partners you have.

• Don't douche. Douching removes some of the normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infection. This can increase your risk for getting HIV.

• Learn how to talk with your partner about STDs and using condoms. It's up to you to make sure you are protected. You can also talk with your health care provider about this.

• When you are sexually active, especially if you have more than one partner, get regular exams for STDs from a health care provider. Tests for STDs can be done during an exam. And, the earlier an STD is found, the easier it is to treat.

• Learn the common symptoms of HIV and other STDs. Seek medical help right away if you think you may have HIV or another STD.

• If you are HIV positive and pregnant, you can lower the chances of giving HIV to your baby by taking AZT during pregnancy, labor, and delivery and having your baby take AZT for the first 6 weeks of life.

• Remember that HIV is a life long disease. When you have HIV, you may have periods of time with no symptoms. But, you can still pass the virus to another person. If you have HIV, you need to tell your sexual partners, so they can be tested.