Precautions to take when Evading an HIV Infection

Everyone who is sexually active is at risk of getting HIV or getting someone else infected with HIV. This is why it’s important to know what precautions you should take when engaging in sex.

Educate yourself

Know more about the virus and how it can affect you, your friends, your partner and your family. Most health clinics offer a short seminar to help people become more aware about the illness or they have small booklets and pamphlets about it. These also teach people what they can do to keep safe and avoid an infection.

Don’t use any type of intravenous drugs

Prescribed or illegal, intravenous can cause an infection because of the needle or syringed used to administer the drug. Illicit intravenous drugs can also alter the way you think, making you less reasonable and less logical with the decisions you make. You might end up participating in risky situations and sexual behaviors that could get you infected. Just remember, if you really need to use a needle or a syringe, make sure that it’s clean. Avoid any contact with someone else’s blood at all cost. Get tested yearly and get vaccination for both hepatitis A and B.

Don’t abuserecreational drugs or alcohol

Loosing mental control leads to poor decision making and you might end up in a dangerous situation. Many HIV positive patients have said that they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they were having unprotected sex, so avoid getting blacked out and just keep it to a minimal.

Practice safe sex or abstinence

The only real way for you to avoid an infection is if you abstain from sex. No contact equals to no infection. However, some people find it difficult to practice abstinence, so better have safe sex. By simply using a condom, you can protect yourself and your partner from an infection and even an unplanned pregnancy. Only have sex with someone you trust, someone whom you know is not infected and is also precautionary about getting infected. Never assume an asymptomatic person to not be infected. AIDS can actually take years to develop and HIV can stay in the human body for a long time without showing any symptoms.

When pregnant, get tested

The virus can also be transmitted through mother and child. If you find out that you got infected and you’re pregnant, then better get the baby check. There are some medications that can help reduce risk of transfer, but constant treatment and testing will be needed.