How to Protect yourself from STDs & HIV
Use a Condom:
Condoms prevent sexual bodily fluids or blood to pass from one person to another.
With correct and consistent condom use, Latex condoms are highly effective at preventing the transmission of HIV and some other sexually transmitted diseases. “Natural” or lambskin condoms do not provide sufficient protection against HIV infection.
Sharing Needles and Syringes:
Transmission occurs when a person uses the same syringe with a HIV+ve person without first cleaning it. The reuse of a blood-contaminated needles or syringes by another person can be an effective means of transmission because a large quantity of blood can be injected directly into the bloodstream.
Although HIV does not generally survive well outside the body, it can survive for long periods of time (over 28 days) if hermetically sealed in syringe.
Regularly get tested for STIs & HIV:
Know your HIV status. Everyone should be tested for HIV at least once. If you are at increased risk for HIV, you may need to get tested for HIV more than once a year.
If you have HIV, you can get medical care, treatment, and supportive services to help you stay healthy and reduce your risk of transmitting the virus to others.
If you are pregnant and find that you have HIV, treatments are available to reduce the chance that your baby will have HIV.
Sticking to the Right Sexual Partner
Abstain from sexual activity or be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.
Limit your number of sex partners. The fewer partners you have, the less likely you are to encounter someone who is infected with HIV or another STD.