Although mentioned in HIV transmission section, prevention of HIV infection is a foremost issue that requires particular addressing.
Encountering people living with HIV doesn’t mean that HIV will be transmitted. You can protect yourself from HIV infection with very simple precautions when HIV transmission is possible. In fact with these precautions, you can have sex with someone living with HIV, get married and have kids with them.
Condom is an absolute must during all sexual activities to prevent HIV transmission via sexual fluids. All male condoms made of latex and polyurethane would suffice to prevent HIV transmission. To ensure a full protection, condom must be put on before the intercourse, and neither anal nor vaginal sex should be performed without protection. Condom should be replaced depending on the duration of intercourse. Water-based lubricants should be used particularly during anal sex to prevent the condom breakage. No oil-based substances such as vaseline, baby oil, hand or body lotions should be used as a lubricant with a condom. Using double condoms to ensure more protection is not right, either. Because more than one condom would increase the penetration, causing the condom to break.
Although not a direct protection method on its own, monogamy is a factor that reduces the possibility of HIV infection.
Since debility would occur in control mechanism while under the influence of any substance (such as stimulants, drugs and alcohol), you may show tendency to abandon your protection habit. In such case, you may avoid sexual activities.
If you’re using IV drugs, make absolutely sure to use a sterilized and clean syringe. You must not use someone else’s syringe, no matter how close you are with them.
If you or a relative will receive blood or blood products transfusion, these products must absolutely be provided from KIZILAY in order to prevent the use of uninspected blood products. If you have skin disintegration and open wounds, avoid contact with someone else’s blood (e.g., becoming blood brothers).