Womens Health

Prevent HIV

There are many things you can do to reduce or prevent the risk of contracting HIV. Since we know how HIV is transmitted, these are exactly the areas to focus on in order to prevent HIV.

Sexual Transmission

To reduce or eliminate the risk of contracting HIV by sexual transmission, here are some proactive steps you can take:

Abstain from sexual activity; use condoms correctly and consistently; make sure there are no breaks on the barrier of the condom; do not use condoms whose expiry date has passed; do not reuse condoms; openly discuss your partner's HIV status; ask your partner about past and present sexual behavior; find out if your partner ever used intravenous drugs; be faithful to one sexual partner or have few partners; practice safe sexual behavior; avoid all unprotected sex - including oral sex; learn about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); openly discuss issues about sex with your partner (i.e. premarital sex, condom use, homosexuality, multiple partners, etc.); get tested for HIV and have your partner get tested.

Blood Transmission

Take the following steps to help minimize and prevent HIV transmitted through blood:

Do not inject drugs; avoid all intravenously administered substances; if you do inject drugs, always use clean, sterile needles; do not share needles or syringes with anyone else; get tested yearly for HIV; get hepatitis vaccinations; avoid all contact with blood from other people; avoid contact with others' open wounds; if you are caring for an injured person or dressing a wound, wear latex gloves; if you are getting a tattoo, piercing your ears, or piercing any body part, make sure all surgical equipment and/or syringes are cleaned and sterilized first; get tested for HIV if you have any concerns.

Getting Tested for HIV

There are many avenues to turn to today in order to get tested for HIV. Here are but a few:

Doctor's office

Hospitals

Home Test Kits

Local Health Department

HIV Testing Centers

Preventing HIV the "ABC" Way

The "ABC Model" of HIV prevention is really just a catch-phrase to help you remember the essential elements of reducing the risk of HIV and AIDS. This three-pronged approach emphasizes the following three key areas: abstinence; being faithful to one or few partners; consistent and correct use of condoms.

Here is the ABC breakdown:

A - Abstinence or delay of first sexual activity

B - Being safe by remaining faithful to one sexual partner or by reducing number of sexual partners; Being safe by getting tested for HIV

C - Correct and consistent use of condoms

Table of Contents
1. HIV/AIDs
2. HIV/AIDS: Overview
3. Relationships And HIV
4. Teens And HIV
5. HIV Myths And Facts
6. HIV Medications
7. HIV/AIDS Differences
8. HIV Drug Cocktail
9. Ways To Get HIV
10. Condoms To Prevent HIV
11. Prevent HIV
12. To Test Or Not
13. The HIV Test
14. Appearances Tell Nothing
15. Women And HIV
 
 
Login to comment
(0 Comments)

Post a comment