HIV was established as the cause of AIDS in 1983. Since then, we’ve learned a great deal about the ways HIV can be transmitted and prevented. Today, we have an abundance of tools available to prevent HIV transmission. Even without a cure or a vaccine, we have the means to end the epidemic in the United States and around the world.
Consider the following prevention methods:
Get tested. Approximately 25 percent of HIV-positive people in the U.S. don’t know they’re infected. Know your status to protect your health—and the health of others. Click here to find out more about HIV testing.
Practice safer sex. When used correctly and consistently, condoms and lubricant can greatly reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Click here for more info on safer sex.
Use pre-exposure prophlaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a pill taken consistently once a day by HIV-negative people, and has been shown to be very effective in preventing HIV transmission in HIV-negative partners. It is recommended that condoms be used along with PrEP. Click here for more about PrEP.
Get on HIV treatment. Treatment as prevention (TasP) involves prescribing HIV meds to those who are infected with HIV in order to reduce the amount of virus in their blood (and genital fluids) so that they are less likely to infect others. Click here for more info about TasP.
Reduce drug-injection risk. If you inject drugs, never share needles, syringes or other “works.” If unused injection equipment is not available, be sure to clean shared needles, syringes and other works with bleach and water. Click here for more info on safer injecting.
Reduce mother-to-child transmission. If you’re pregnant—or are thinking of starting a family—get tested for HIV. If you’re positive, careful prenatal care, including the use of HIV meds for the mother, can greatly reduce the risk of passing the virus on to the baby to 2 percent or less chance. Click here for more on preventing mother-to-child transmission.
Take post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP involves taking a short course of ARV drugs, usually for a month, after a high-risk exposure. Click here for more about PrEP
Source: POZ.com