How Can You Reduce Your Risk?
Anyone can get HIV, but there are more tools today to prevent HIV than ever before.
Get Tested and Know Your Partner’s HIV Status
Talking to your partner(s) about HIV testing and getting tested before sex are great first steps in understanding your risk. To best understand your risk and/or get tested, talk to your doctor or use this testing locator to find testing and counseling across Iowa.
Assess Risks Involved With Sexual Activities
Sex is the primary way that HIV passes from person to person. Condoms and/or medications can reduce this risk. If you aren’t taking PrEP regularly or don’t have a condom handy, you may want to discuss less risky types of sex with your partner(s). Receptive anal sex is the type of sex most likely to transmit HIV. It is possible for either partner-- the top or the bottom--to get HIV, though it is much riskier for an HIV-negative partner to be the bottom/receptive partner. This is because the lining of the rectum is thin and micro-tears may allow HIV to enter the body during sex. Though the risk of transmission is lower for the top partner, HIV may still enter the body through the penis via small cuts, scratches or other open sores. If a condom is not available, some people use lube to reduce tearing when having anal or vaginal sex.
While vaginal sex is less likely to transmit HIV, similar risks apply like tearing of the vaginal wall, open sores, or cuts on or in the pubic region. Oral sex (e.g. fellatio, cunnlingus, and anilingus) and touching present the least risk for HIV transmission. Partners should be aware of gum bleeding, open sores in or on the mouth, and open sores on the penis, anus, or vagina.
Practice Safer Sex with Insertive or Receptive Condoms
While abstaining from sex and/or limiting the number of your partners greatly reduces the chances of your risk for HIV, there are several tools you can use to have safer sex.
- Insertive condoms, sometimes known as male condoms, are highly effective in preventing HIV and some STDs when used correctly. Water and silicone-based lubricant can be used during sex to prevent condom breakage and tearing of tissue.
- Receptive condoms, sometimes known as female condoms, are also highly effective in preventing HIV and some STDs when used correctly. Receptive condoms can be used internally by people who have vaginal or anal sex. Like insertive condoms, water and silicone-based lubricants can also be used during sex to prevent condom breakage and tearing of tissue.
- Dental dams are latex or polyurethane sheets used between the mouth, vagina, or anus during oral sex. Dentals dams are effective in prevention HIV and some STDs when used correctly.
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Taking Medicine To Prevent Or Treat HIV
In the Living with HIV section, you can learn more about how people living with HIV (PLWH) are using medications to manage their health and treat their HIV. Many PLWH who take their medications as prescribed are able to achieve viral suppression, meaning that they have no detectable HIV in their blood. When there is no detectable HIV viral load in your body you have no risk of sexually transmitting the virus. This is commonly known as Undetectable = untransmittable or U=U. For more information check out this fact sheet developed by the Centers for Disease Control.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
PrEP is a single, daily-dose pill that is prescribed to prevent HIV infection prior to exposure. If taken consistently and as prescribed by your provider, PrEP can reduce your risk of becoming infected by over 90%. You can find more information on accessing PrEP in Iowa at PrEP Iowa. The power of prevention is in the palm of your hand.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
If you have a recent possible exposure to HIV, your provider can prescribe the same medicines used for PrEP to reduce your chances of becoming HIV-positive. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is used within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV. There are some side effects that can be treated and are not life threatening.
If you need PEP contact your doctor or nearest emergency room.
Safer Substance Use
Some forms of substance use can increase your risk related to HIV. Persons who use or inject drugs can reduce their risk by not sharing or re-using substance use equipment.
Read more here at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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