HIV Negative Men
Resources for HIV Negative Men
Information to empower you to make informed decisions about sex, relationships, and family planning. Information on HIV prevention and safer conception methods for men.
Information for you
How do people get HIV?
Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick Talks about How HIV is Transmitted
How is HIV Transmitted?
HIV is transmitted, or spread, through contact with these body fluids:
- Blood (including blood from your period and any blood in saliva, urine, and feces).
- Semen (“cum”) and other sexual fluids from the penis (“pre-cum”).
- Vaginal fluids.
- Breast milk.
HIV is not spread through:
- Saliva (spit)
- Feces (poop)
- Urine (pee)
HIV can be transmitted during:
- pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding (called perinatal or vertical transmission).
- Re-using or sharing needles or other works/equipment for injecting drugs, tattoos, or other substances.
HIV is not spread by:
- Holding hands
- Drinking or eating from the same cups or utensils as a person living with HIV
- Using a toilet also used by someone living with HIV
For more on HIV transmission:
- The Well Project: http://www.thewellproject.org/hiv-information/hiv-transmission.
HIV is more preventable than ever. HIV is more preventable than ever. You may already know about HIV prevention options such as male (external) and female (internal) condoms, and testing. Let’s talk about a few more: PrEP, PEP, and U=U.
➔ U=U is when a person living with HIV takes medications to keep the virus at very low levels (called an undetectable viral load). Many large studies show that people who have an undetectable viral load have no risk of passing HIV through sex. U=U is short for “undetectable = untransmittable.”
For more on U=U, check out this video:
➔ PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a daily pill to help keep you HIV-negative. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective. PrEP is safe and generally well tolerated. Most insurance plans (public and private) cover PrEP.
For more on PrEP, check out this video:
➔ PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, is a combination of medications you can take after a possible exposure to HIV. PEP is most effective the sooner it’s started, and must be started within 72 hours of the exposure. PEP is taken daily for 28–30 days
These strategies work for people of all genders, sexual orientations, ages, and people who inject drugs.
For more on PEP, check out this video:
You can use these HIV-prevention strategies alone or in combination to reduce your risk of getting HIV. Take charge of your sexual health!
There are many birth control options available to you and your partner. Your doctor can support you in finding the best option for both of you.
For more on each method of contraception, visit: https://www.bedsider.org/methods
Having a baby if your partner is living with HIV
Advances in HIV treatment and prevention make starting a family an exciting and safe option for couples affected by HIV. There are several safer conception options available to you. For more information, check out this resource from our partners at The Well Project.