Media Centre
HIV
Prevention
Preventing HIV – Safer sex
HIV is passed from one person to another through the direct exchange of bodily fluids. This can happen through unprotected penetrative vaginal or anal sex, as well as through oral sex.
The best way to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is to restrict bodily contact by using condoms (for penetrative sex and oral sex on penises) and dental dams (for oral sex on vaginas or anuses).
It is important to continue to practice safe sex even if you and your sexual partner both have HIV. This is because it is possible to expose yourself to a new strain of the virus that your ARV medicine will not be able to control.
Knowingly infecting somebody with HIV is a criminal offence.
Condoms
Condoms come in a variety of shapes, colours, textures, materials and flavours. They are available for both males and females. A condom is the most common and effective form of protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. They can be used for anal sex, oral sex performed on men and vaginal sex. HIV can be passed on before ejaculation, through pre-come and vaginal secretions, and from the anus. It is very important that condoms are put on before any sexual contact occurs between the penis, vagina, mouth or anus.
Lubricant
Lubricant is often used to enhance sexual pleasure and safety, by adding moisture to either the vagina or anus during sexual intercourse or other sexual practices. Lubricant can enhance the safety of intercourse by reducing the risk of vaginal or anal tears being caused by dryness or friction. It can also reduce the likelihood of a condom tearing.
Lubricant can be bought in most supermarkets and pharmacies. It is important to use a water-based lubricant (such as K-Y Jelly) rather than an oil-based lubricant (such as Vaseline or massage and baby oil). This is because oil-based lubricants weaken the latex in condoms and can cause them to break or tear. Only water-based lubricants should be used with condoms.
Dental dams
A dental dam is a small sheet of latex that can act as a barrier between the vagina or anus and the mouth to reduce the risk of STI and HIV transmission during oral sex. Dental dams are available in a variety of flavours and colours, and typically come in two forms: as a sheet, which can be spread across the vagina or anus and held in place during oral sex by either the giver or the receiver, and as a mask with elasticised bands, which is held in place around the ears of the person giving oral sex, leaving the hands free.
It is important that dams are only used once, the same side of the dam is always kept against the body, and a new dam is used if a new area of the body is being stimulated. A dam should never be moved from the vagina to the anus or vice versa.
Intravenous drug use
If you inject drugs, do not share needles as this could expose you to HIV and other blood-borne viruses, such as hepatitis C.
Many local authorities and pharmacies offer needle exchange programmes, where used needles can be exchanged for clean ones.
If you are a heroin user, consider enrolling in a methadone programme. Methadone can be taken as a liquid, so it reduces your risk of getting HIV.
Your GP or drug counsellor should be able to advise you about both needle exchange programmes and methadone programmes.
Living with HIV
How people cope with being diagnosed with HIV, as well as with treatment, varies from person to person.
Self care
Self care is an integral part of daily life. It means that you take responsibility for your own health and wellbeing, with support from the people involved in your care. Self care includes the things you do each day to stay fit, maintain good physical and mental health, prevent illness or accidents, and effectively deal with minor ailments and long-term conditions. People living with long-term conditions can benefit enormously if they receive support for self care. They can live longer, have less pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue, have a better quality of life, and be more active and independent.
Regular reviews
Because HIV is a long-term condition, you will be in regular contact with your healthcare team. A good relationship with the team means that you can easily discuss your symptoms or concerns. The more the team knows, the more they can help you.
Keeping well
Everyone with a long-term condition such as HIV is encouraged to get a flu jab each autumn to protect against flu (influenza). It is also recommended that they get an anti-pneumoccocal vaccination every five years. This is an injection that protects against a serious chest infection called pneumococcal pneumonia.
Healthy eating and exercise
Regular exercise and a healthy diet are recommended for everyone, not just people with HIV. They can help prevent many conditions, including heart disease and many forms of cancer. Try to eat a balanced diet, containing all the food groups, to give your body the nutrition it needs. Exercising regularly can help relieve stress and reduce fatigue.
Stopping smoking
Giving up smoking can improve your overall health. Research has shown that you are up to four times more likely to quit smoking if you use NHS support along with stop-smoking medicines, such as patches or gum. Ask your doctor about this or see the NHS Smokefree website.
Preventing infection
If you have HIV, you should take extra precautions to prevent exposure to infection. Be careful around animals as they can be a source of parasitic infection. Avoid coming into contact with cat litter or animal faeces. Wear latex gloves if you need to clean your pet or dispose of their droppings. Wash your hands regularly, particularly after going to the toilet, before and after preparing food, and after spending time in crowded places.
Want to know more?
Source: NHS Choices
