Prevention
There is no cure for HIV infection and AIDS, however, it is possible to prevent yourself and others from becoming infected in the first place. In order to help prevent the transmission of HIV or reduce the risk of getting transmitted:
- Practice abstinence –which means not to have any type of sex at all.
- Practice monogamy –which means to be sexually active with only one person.
- Practice safe sex – use a condom properly every time you have sex.
- Avoid sharing needles.
- Avoid sharing razor, toothbrush or other items that might be contaminated with blood.
- Be cautious regarding procedures such as acupuncture, tattooing and ear piercing.
- Do not donate your blood, blood products, tissues and organs if you are at risk of getting or spreading the virus.
- Get medical care immediately if you are pregnant and diagnosed with HIV infection.
- Do not stop taking anti-HIV medications without talking to your doctor first.
- Use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – which is the use of a combination of antiretroviral medications if you are at high risk of getting infected. (The drug ‘Truvada’ is the first HIV prevention medication approved by FDA in 2012 (Ellis 2013)).
- Seek medical immediately if you have been exposed to HIV within the previous 72 hours – A treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can possibly prevent the HIV infection.