· Be in a
long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected
partner
· Abstain from
sharing needles and/or syringes for non-prescription drugs.
HIV and STDs
All partners should get tested for HIV and other sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) before initiating sexual intercourse.
Having another STD increases by two to five times the likelihood a
person will become infected with HIV and increases the likelihood an
infected person will transmit HIV. (Learn more about the
connection between HIV and STDs.
If a person chooses to have sexual
intercourse with a partner whose infection status is unknown or who
is infected with HIV or another STD, a new condom should be used for
each act of insertive intercourse. (Learn more about
infected persons.)
HIV and Injection Drug Users
Injection drug users, their partners, and their children account for
at least 36% of all AIDS cases reported in the U.S. through 1999
2.
For injection drug users who cannot or will not stop injecting
drugs, using sterile needles and syringes only once remains the
safest, most effective approach for limiting HIV transmission.
(Learn more about
injection drug users and HIV/AIDS.)
HIV and Pregnancy
Pregnant women should be routinely counseled and voluntarily tested
for HIV. Early diagnosis allows a woman to receive effective
antiretroviral therapies for her own health and preventive drugs
(e.g., Zidovudine, also known as ZDV) to improve the chances that
her infant will be born free of infection. (Learn more about
women and HIV/AIDS.)
