How is HIV transmitted and how can I protect myself?

It’s very simple. There are *four* bodily fluids which can pass on HIV. They are:

If your blood comes into contact with one of these fluids from an HIV+ person, you could contract the virus. So how does that happen? Through these acts:

To avoid getting infected with HIV, follow the ABC’s:

A: Abstain

If you inject drugs or use needles for any other reason, abstain from sharing needles with anyone else.

If you’re concerned about contracting HIV sexually, choosing to abstain from sexual contact is the best way to avoid infection. Remember, this includes oral and anal sex as well as vaginal.

If you’re an HIV+ woman, abstaining from having children or abstaining from breastfeeding your children will help prevent the transmission of the virus.

B: Be Faithful

If you are sexually active and you and your partner have both tested negative for HIV outside your "window period" (the two to six months it may take to develop antibodies to the virus), maintaining a monogamous relationship is the only way you can be sure to avoid HIV infection. Of course, you can’t always monitor your partner’s behavior when you’re not around, so to be sure to protect yourself, we always recommend “The Big C…”

C: Condoms

When used properly and consistently, condoms are overwhelmingly successful and preventing the spread of HIV infection. Condoms come in hundreds of different shapes, sizes, colors, and even flavors! Since HIV is spread through all types of sexual contact, they are recommended for oral, anal, and vaginal sex. If you’re not sure of the proper way to use a condom or would like more information about the different types, click *here* to go to our official condom page. Thagard offers a variety of condomes to students for free.