Preventing HIV Infection

The most reliable ways to avoid becoming infected with or transmitting HIV are:

●Abstain from sexual intercourse (i.e., oral, vaginal, or anal sex)
●Be in a long-term,  monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner
●Abstain from sharing needles and/or syringes for nonprescription drugs

HIV and STDs
All partners should get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) before initiating sexual intercourse. Having another STD increases, by two to five times, the likelihood a person will become infected with HIV and increases the likelihood an infected person will transmit HIV. (Learn more about the connection between HIV and STDs).

If a person chooses to have sexual intercourse with a partner whose infection status is unknown or who is infected with HIV or another STD, a new condom should be used for each act of insertive intercourse - oral, anal, or vaginal. (Learn more about infected persons.)

HIV and Injection Drug Users
Injection drug users, their partners, and their children account for at least 36% of all AIDS cases reported in the United States through 2000. 2. Beyond abstinence, using a new, sterile needle or syringe with each injection remains the safest, most effective approach for limiting HIV and hepatitis transmission. (Learn more about injection drug users and HIV/AIDS.)

HIV and Pregnancy
Pregnant women should be routinely counseled and voluntarily tested for HIV. Early diagnosis allows a woman to receive effective antiretroviral therapies for her own health and preventive drugs (e.g., Zidovudine, also known as ZDV) to improve the chances that her infant will be born free of infection.