- The easiest ways to pass HIV to someone else are in blood or sexual fluids.
- Having sex without a condom or sharing drug-injection works can infect a partner with your HIV.
- If you inject drugs, you can stop with a drug-substitution program (for example, with methadone).
- If you continue to inject drugs, always use clean injecting equipment and never share injecting equipment with partners.
- Always use a condom during anal or vaginal sex.
- Use enough lubrication with a condom to avoid causing minor cuts in your partner's anus or vagina.
- Don't rely on a sex partner to tell you accurately (or truthfully) if he or she has HIV.
- Using drugs or alcohol before sex raises the chance you will forget to use a condom or won't bother to use one.
- If you haven't started antiretroviral therapy, consider starting as a way to limit chances you will infect a partner.
- If you're taking antiretrovirals, take your drugs as directed to make sure you reach and maintain an undetectable viral load.
- If you reach an undetectable viral load, your virus may become detectable again if you miss antiretroviral doses or get another sexually transmitted infection.
- Tell your HIV provider immediately if you have signs of a sexually transmitted infection, such as genital sores.
- Don't donate blood, plasma, tissue, organs, or semen because they can transmit HIV.
- Don't share toothbrushes, razors, douche equipment, or sex toys.
Pointers based primarily on US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration. Guide for HIV/AIDS Clinical Care. January 2011.
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