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How do you get HIV from someone who is infected? — The most likely way to get HIV from someone who is infected is by:
●Having unprotected anal or vaginal sex with them
●Sharing the same needle, for example to inject drugs
If you get blood or other body fluids in your vagina or anus, or inside the tip of your penis, you could get infected. It is also possible to get infected if blood or fluids with HIV get into your eyes or mouth. But this is less risky. It is very unlikely that you would get HIV just by getting blood or other body fluids on your skin.
Body fluids that are most dangerous include blood and the fluids that come from the penis, vagina, and anus during sex. Other body fluids are less dangerous, as long as they aren't mixed with blood. This includes urine, saliva, sweat, and tears.
Can I lower my chances of getting HIV? — Yes. The best ways to protect yourself are to use condoms any time you have sex, and avoid sharing needles. But there are also medicines that can lower your risk of getting HIV. Doctors call this "pre-exposure prophylaxis," or "PrEP." It usually involves 2 medicines that are combined in 1 pill you take once a day. Another form, given as a shot every 8 weeks, is also available. PrEP is not recommended for everyone, but it can help people who are at high risk. Your level of risk depends on a few different things, including:
●Your sex partners, what kinds of sex you have, and whether you use condoms
●Whether you share needles for using drugs
Your doctor or nurse can help you understand your risk. If you take PrEP medicines, they work very well to prevent HIV. But you will need to be sure to take them as prescribed. Also, even with the medicines, there is always a small risk of getting HIV if you are exposed. That's why it is best to take these medicines in addition to using condoms.
What will the doctor or nurse do? — Before you make a decision about PrEP, your doctor or nurse will test you for HIV. This will show whether you were infected with the virus in the past. If the test shows that you already have HIV, it is important to get started on the right treatment as soon as possible.
Your doctor or nurse will also ask you questions about your sex life and drug use. This is to get an idea of how likely you are to be at risk of getting HIV. They will probably ask questions about things you have done over the last 6 months, including:
●How many sex partners you have had and whether they are male, female, or both
●Whether any of your sex partners have HIV or are at risk for it
●If you have had vaginal or anal sex without a condom
●If you have had sex while using drugs
●If you or any of your partners use needles to inject drugs, and whether you ever share needles
It can be hard or awkward to talk about these things. But it's important to be as honest as possible. This will help you and your doctor decide if it makes sense for you to start medicines to prevent HIV.
Before your doctor prescribes medicine, you might get other tests, too. This is so your doctor can check for other problems that might need treatment. It is also to make sure your body can handle the medicines used to prevent HIV. Tests typically include:
●Tests for other infections you can get through sex or by sharing needles
●Tests to check how well your kidneys are working
●A pregnancy test (for people who could get pregnant)
What are the risks or side effects of medicines to prevent HIV? — Side effects of PrEP are usually mild. Some people have nausea or vomiting, but this usually gets better after the first 4 weeks or so.
Some medicines to prevent HIV can damage the kidneys or bones. But this risk is very low. If you take one of these medicines, your doctor will do regular tests to check how your kidneys are working.
How long should I keep taking the medicines? — You should take the PrEP medicine for as long as you continue to be at risk. During this time, you will need to see your doctor regularly. At these visits, they will ask about any symptoms you have, and do a blood test to make sure you do not have HIV. You will also get other tests, depending on your situation.
Over time, you might find you are no longer at high risk for getting HIV through sex or sharing needles. If this happens, you can talk with your doctor about stopping the medicine.
What else should I know? — The medicines work well to lower your chances of getting HIV, but there is always a small chance you could get it. For this reason, you should use condoms anytime you have sex, and avoid sharing needles. This is especially important during the first few weeks after you start PrEP medicines. That's because it takes some time for them to start working.
Condoms also help protect you from other infections you can get through sex. Although PrEP reduces your risk of getting HIV, it does not protect you from other diseases.
You should also:
●Take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. The medicine does not work as well if you miss doses.
●Go to all of your doctor's appointments.
●Tell your doctor if you notice any symptoms that could be related to HIV, such as fever, rash, swollen glands, and/or a sore throat.
If you have questions or worries about HIV, your risks, or your medicine, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help you.
Patient education: Preventing HIV after unprotected sex or needle-sharing (The Basics)
Patient education: HIV/AIDS (The Basics)
Patient education: Starting treatment for HIV (The Basics)
Patient education: Tests to monitor HIV (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood or body fluid exposure (The Basics)
Patient education: Screening for sexually transmitted infections (The Basics)
Patient education: Testing for HIV (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Symptoms of HIV (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Initial treatment of HIV (Beyond the Basics)
