What You Can Do To Protect Yourself Against HIV
Posted on: 22 February 2022
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HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is a virus that can live within the body and is spread through bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, or blood. There are a number of ways to prevent the spread of HIV and to protect yourself against getting HIV. Read on for some information about HIV and what can be done to protect yourself.
Abstain From Sex
Abstaining from sex and only having monogamous sex with one partner, can help prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. If you are occasionally having sexual intercourse with those that you don't know that well, or those that are not monogamous, you could be setting yourself up for a disaster and possibly a lot of sexually transmitted diseases. Abstaining from sex and waiting to have sexual intercourse with the person until you are both sure about one another and sure that you and the other person are in a committed and monogamous relationship can help prevent HIV.
Practice Safe Sex
Practicing safe sex is another way to help prevent HIV. If you are not wearing a condom or wearing a female condom, you could get HIV from unprotected sex. HIV can be spread through seminal fluids, from both males and females, so be sure to protect both yourself and your partner by wearing a condom. If you've had unprotected sex, talk to your doctor about the HIV prevention pill to help fight off this virus.
Don't Share Needles
If you are a drug user, or you have a medical condition in which you need needles, such as you have diabetes, be sure you do not share needles with another person. Sharing needles can spread several different types of diseases or viruses, including HIV. Never use a dirty or used needle, no matter what the purpose it is intended for. Don't allow anyone to use a needle on you that has been used, or that is dirty either. If you accidentally get poked with a dirty needle, you need to get tested for HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases and viruses and may need to continue to be tested.
HIV is a non-curable virus that can affect anyone, any gender, any race, and any age. Help protect yourself and those you love by protecting yourself against HIV. If you have had unprotected sex, or you have had multiple partners, or you have used a dirty needle, you need to be tested to be sure you do not have HIV or some other type of disease that can be spread to others that you love or care for. Stop the spread of HIV. The use of an HIV prevention pill may be used to help fight off this virus.