HIV Prevention
Prevention Is for Everyone and Every Status
The good news? You're in charge of your health. The even better news? There are lots of easy and effective ways to prevent HIV transmission. You can do it every day, or right before you have sex or share a needle. You can prevent HIV while you're having sex. And thanks to a little thing called science, you can even prevent HIV after you've been exposed. Want to protect yourself and the people you care about? There's only one thing you need to do first: learn more.
How Will You Prevent HIV?
From condoms to honest conversations, there's more than one right way to prevent HIV. So choose the mix of prevention methods that's right for you, whatever your status. It's the best way to respect your health—and your partners.
By Talking About It
Straightforward discussion can help prevent HIV. A good place to start? Your status. Talk to the people you sleep or inject drugs with about your health, your last HIV test, and how you plan to stay safe. Don't let a little awkwardness put your health or someone you like at risk.
By Staying in Treatment
Keeping up with your HIV treatment plan is good for you and your partners. Consistent and effective care can drop the amount of virus in a person's body to undetectable levels—and the latest research has proven that when HIV is undetectable, there's no risk of passing it on.
By Using Protection
They come ribbed, lubed, studded, flavored, and glow-in-the-dark. And they can stop HIV in its tracks. Prophylactics like condoms and dental dams are a cheap, effective and convenient way to protect your health. And in flavors like bubblegum and bacon, they can be adventurous, too.
By Taking PrEP and PEP
If you are HIV-negative, there are two game-changing medications that can help you stay that way. Many people at high risk for HIV choose to use PrEP, a medication that reduces one's chances of getting HIV before exposure to HIV. For others, taking PEP immediately after a single exposure makes sense.
The Ins and Outs of PrEP and PEP
While they're taken differently, both PrEP and PEP work after a person is exposed to HIV to prevent the virus from taking hold in the body and establishing an infection.
Interested in PEP?
Interested in PrEP?