Being safe when it comes to HIV

Needle Shot


By now we know that there are 3 major ways of becoming HIV-positive.
In developing countries, blood transfusions remain a big risk because a lot of places don't have clean blood to work with. In developed countries however, blood and donors get tested so it's not a big factor anymore.

Therefore, to prevent infection from HIV, you have to be take these scenarios into consideration and be as safe as you can.

How you can be safe

Condom

Alwa ys be sure to use clean needles and never share a needle with anyone. If you are going to use a needle, make sure that it's new and properly sterilized before usage and throw it out immediately after you are done with it.

People involved with medical and skin care should always use the universal cleaning procedures before using a needle on their patients/clients.

Unprotected sexual acts pose the biggest risk for infection so it's in this area where you have to be safest. Choosing to not have sexual relations is the only way to be 100% safe but this does not mean that you can't have sexual relations during your entire life.

If you and your partner are both tested and both are HIV-negative, and you plan to only stay with each other for the rest of your lives, you will also be safe. But if you plan on having relations with more people, the safest thing to do is to wear a condom.

Click here to get more information on condoms and how to properly use one.