How Does HIV Get Passed from One Person to Another?<\/h3>\n
Only 5 body fluids can contain enough HIV to infect someone:<\/p>\n
- \n
- blood<\/li>\n
- semen (including pre-cum)<\/li>\n
- rectal fluid<\/li>\n
- vaginal fluid<\/li>\n
- breast milk<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
HIV can only get passed when one of these fluids from a person with HIV gets into the bloodstream of another person\u2014through broken skin, the opening of the penis or the wet linings of the body, such as the vagina, rectum or foreskin.<\/p>\n
HIV cannot pass through healthy, unbroken skin.<\/p>\n
The two main ways that HIV can get passed between you and someone else are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- through sex<\/li>\n
- by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs (including steroids or hormones)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
HIV can also be passed:<\/p>\n
- \n
- by sharing needles or ink to get a tattoo<\/li>\n
- by sharing needles or jewellery to get a body piercing<\/li>\n
- by sharing acupuncture needles<\/li>\n
- to a fetus or baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
HIV cannot be passed by:<\/p>\n
- \n
- talking, shaking hands, working or eating with someone who has HIV<\/li>\n
- hugs or kisses<\/li>\n
- coughs or sneezes<\/li>\n
- swimming pools<\/li>\n
- toilet seats or water fountains<\/li>\n
- bed sheets or towels<\/li>\n
- forks, spoons, cups or food<\/li>\n
- insects or animals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
HIV and Sex<\/h3>\n
HIV can be passed during sex (this includes vaginal, anal and oral sex and sharing sex toys). But there are things you can do to practice safer sex. You can protect yourself and your partner(s) from HIV by doing the following:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Use a latex, polyurethane or nitrile condom<\/strong> correctly every time you have vaginal or anal sex. You can use an external condom (sometimes called a male condom) or an internal condom (sometimes called a female condom). Throw out the condom after each sex act and do not use a condom with more than one partner. This will protect you from HIV as well as other sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoea and syphilis. (Use only water-based or silicone-based lubricants with latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants can make them break.)<\/li>\n
- If you are HIV-positive and not already on HIV treatment, talk to your doctor about starting treatment<\/strong>. HIV drugs can not only protect your health but also greatly reduce the risk of HIV transmission.<\/li>\n
- If you are HIV-negative and at higher risk for HIV, you might be a candidate for PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis<\/strong>. This involves an HIV-negative person taking certain HIV drugs every day to reduce their risk of getting HIV. Talk to your doctor to find out if PrEP might be right for you.<\/li>\n
- Get tested for STIs regularly. Having an STI increases your risk of getting and passing HIV and other STIs.<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Avoid sharing sex toys (and if you do, cover each one with a new condom before each use).<\/strong> It is also important to clean your toys between vaginal and anal use.<\/li>\n
- Use a condom or dental dam every time you have oral sex<\/strong>. Oral sex is much less risky than vaginal or anal sex, but it\u2019s not completely safe.
\nChoose forms of sexual stimulation that pose little or no chance of HIV<\/strong>, like masturbation or sensual massage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nPeople can have HIV or other STIs without knowing it because these infections often do not cause symptoms. Don\u2019t assume that your partner knows if they have HIV or any other STI. The only way to know for sure is to be tested.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Source: www.catie.ca<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- If you are HIV-positive and not already on HIV treatment, talk to your doctor about starting treatment<\/strong>. HIV drugs can not only protect your health but also greatly reduce the risk of HIV transmission.<\/li>\n
- Use a latex, polyurethane or nitrile condom<\/strong> correctly every time you have vaginal or anal sex. You can use an external condom (sometimes called a male condom) or an internal condom (sometimes called a female condom). Throw out the condom after each sex act and do not use a condom with more than one partner. This will protect you from HIV as well as other sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoea and syphilis. (Use only water-based or silicone-based lubricants with latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants can make them break.)<\/li>\n
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