27/08/2019
How can I reduce my risk of getting HIV?
Anyone can get HIV, but you can take steps to protect yourself from HIV infection.
Get tested and know your partner’s HIV status. Talk to your partner about HIV testing and get tested before you have s*x. Use this testing locator from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to find an HIV testing location near you.
Choose less risky s*xual behaviors. HIV is mainly spread by having a**l or va**nal s*x without a condom or without taking medicines to prevent or treat HIV.
Use condoms. Use a condom correctly every time you have s*x. Read this fact sheet from CDC on how to use condoms correctly.
Limit your number of s*xual partners. The more partners you have, the more likely you are to have a partner with poorly controlled HIV or to have a partner with a s*xually transmitted disease (STD). Both of these factors can increase the risk of HIV transmission.
Get tested and treated for STDs. Insist that your partners get tested and treated, too. Having an STD can increase your risk of becoming infected with HIV or spreading it to others.
Talk to your health care provider about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is an HIV prevention option for people who don't have HIV but who are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. PrEP involves taking a specific HIV medicine every day. For more information, read the AIDSinfo fact sheet on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).
Don't inject drugs. But if you do, use only sterile drug injection equipment and water and never share your equipment with others.
