HIV is transmitted through semen, blood or vaginal fluids during unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex. HIV can also be transmitted by sharing needles for injection drug use, tattooing or piercing, and from mother to child through breast feeding or birth.
Being diagnosed HIV-positive does not mean you automatically have AIDS. AIDS is the result of the body's immune system being compromised by HIV. Although no cure or effective vaccines have been developed, there are many treatments, medicines and lifestyle choices that enable people with HIV to live healthy lives for many years. However, it is important to remember that HIV does not go away.
Condoms, the female condom, latex gloves and dental dams (latex squares used during oral sex) can be used during oral, anal and vaginal sex to protect both partners from HIV.
Works used to inject drugs can be cleaned by flushing them with bleach and water. Draw in water through the plunger, shake and push out; draw in bleach, shake and push out; draw in water, shake and push out. Repeat this process three times to kill the HIV virus.
