WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about HIV transmission? It is important to take safety precautions to prevent the transmission (spread) of HIV. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is an infection that slowly weakens your immune system. Over time, a weak immune system makes it difficult for you to fight infections. Common signs and symptoms of HIV infection include chronic diarrhea, weight loss without trying, and skin rashes or lesions. How is HIV spread? Many people who are infected with HIV do not know they are infected. This is because the virus can live in your body for years before you develop symptoms. The following are common ways HIV is spread: - Contact with blood or certain body fluids (sperm, vaginal fluids, and breast milk) of an infected person
- Sex with an infected person, especially in men who have sex with men
- Injecting drugs with needles or other equipment used by an infected person
- From an infected mother to her baby before or during birth or through breast milk
What is not true about how HIV is spread? Many beliefs about how HIV is spread are false. HIV is not spread by any of the following: - Contact with toilet seats, clothes, or sheets
- Mosquito or other insect bites
- Sharing food, plates, cups, or silverware
- Skin contact with a person who has HIV
- Sneezing or coughing
- Swimming in public pools
How can I prevent the spread of HIV through body fluid? Seek care immediately if you think you may have been exposed to HIV. Drug treatments are available after exposure to HIV. The following are ways to protect yourself from HIV infection or to protect others if you are HIV-positive: - Tell healthcare providers if you are HIV-positive. Include all healthcare providers, such as your doctor, dentist, and anyone taking a blood sample.
- Be careful with body fluids. Body fluids of an infected person should never get near the mouth, eyes, anus, or open skin cuts of others. Sores, cuts, blood, or body fluids should not be touched by anyone not wearing gloves.
- Do not donate blood or tissue if you are HIV-positive. Do not donate blood or blood products. Do not donate sperm, organs, or body tissues.
- Do not share needles or other injectable drug equipment. Use a needle exchange program to get clean needles. Also do not share syringes, rinse water, or anything else used to prepare drugs for injection. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you need help to stop using illegal drugs.
- Do not share objects or tools. Examples include razors, toothbrushes, or tweezers. They may cut or scrape the skin and cause others to come into contact with blood.
- Do not pierce your ears, navel, or any other place on your body if you are HIV-positive. Piercing can cause bleeding. This may spread HIV.
What else can I do to prevent the spread of HIV? - Take every dose of HAART medicines exactly as directed if you are HIV-positive. This will prevent the virus from mutating and becoming much harder to treat. Consistent use of HAART medicines may help prevent the spread of HIV to a sex partner or an unborn baby.
- Have safe sex. Ask your sex partners if they are HIV-positive, or tell them that you are. Use a latex condom correctly each time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Women may use latex female condoms when a male condom cannot be used. Do not share sex toys.
- Join a risk reduction program if you are HIV-positive. Ask your healthcare provider or local health department to help you find a risk reduction program. This program will teach you how to tell others that you have HIV and ask sexual partners to use condoms.
- Treat STIs right away. If you are sexually active, get tested for STIs at least once a year. If you become infected with an STI, treat it right away. This may help reduce the risk that you will give HIV to a sex partner.
Call 911 for any of the following: - You have shortness of breath.
- You have chest pain.
- You are so depressed you feel you cannot cope any longer.
- You have problems seeing.
- You are so weak that you cannot stand up.
When should I seek immediate care? - You cannot think clearly.
- You have a severe headache or a stiff neck.
- You have problems with balance, walking, or speech.
- You have weakness in an arm or leg.
- You are not able to drink liquids.
When should I contact my healthcare provider? - You are having side effects from your medicines that make you want to stop taking them.
- You have a fever, chills, or night sweats.
- You have swollen lymph nodes in your neck, jaw, armpit, or groin.
- You are more tired than usual.
- You have diarrhea that does not get better.
- You have lost more than 10 pounds in a short period of time.
- You bruise or bleed easily.
- You have white spots or sores in your mouth, throat, vagina, or rectum.
- You have a cough, shortness of breath, or chest tightness.
- You notice changes in your monthly period.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
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