Published on: 7/28/2017IST

5 Effective Ways To Prevent HIV/AIDS

User Image Jyoti Negi Last updated on: 7/28/2017, Permalink

Practice safe sex, restrain sexual accomplices, and get tried for HIV before beginning another sexual relationship. Utilize a condom each time and decide on water-or silicone based-oils. Never share needles and evade hazardous practices like liquor or medication manhandle. You can likewise take preventive prescription on the off chance that you are at high hazard. Get treatment and abstain from breastfeeding amid pregnancy to keep transmission from a tainted mother to her child.

The human immunodeficiency infection (HIV) pulverizes safe cells which battle contamination. This makes it troublesome for your body to battle off diseases and certain sorts of tumor. Without legitimate treatment, a HIV contamination can advance to AIDS or AIDS, a phase where your safe framework is truly harmed and you get various serious ailments known as artful infections.

HIV spreads through contact with body liquids like blood, semen, pre-original liquids, vaginal liquids, rectal liquids, or bosom drain from a contaminated individual. In the United States, this infection is for the most part spread by engaging in sexual relations with or imparting syringes or other infusion hardware to somebody who is tainted. It can likewise be transmitted from a mother to her tyke throughout the pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or amid childbirth. Although the quantity of individuals being contaminated with HIV has been declining, despite everything it remains a reason for worry with a large number of new cases being analyzed each year. But take heart, there are things you can do to shield yourself from this risky disease.

Ways To Prevent HIV/AIDS

Here are some ways to keep yourself safe.

1. Practice Safe Sex

The one fool-proof and completely effective way of preventing HIV involves abstaining from vaginal, anal, and oral sex.4 Since this might not be practical, your next best bet would be to take measures to protect yourself if you’re sexually active.

Use Condoms

Latex condoms are thought to be the best at shielding you from HIV. You can utilize one made of plastic (polyurethane) or engineered elastic (polyisoprene) in the event that you have a latex hypersensitivity. In any case, do remember that plastic condoms normally break more frequently than latex ones. Additionally, condoms made of characteristic film like lambskin have little openings and don't give security against HIV. 

Female condoms which are worn in the vagina amid sex can likewise give insurance against the HIV infection. So ensure you utilize a condom each time you have intercourse. Keep in mind to store condoms in a cool place and check the termination date before utilize.

Use A Water- Or Silicone-Based Lubricant

Using a water- or silicone-based lubricant during sex can prevent condoms from slipping or breaking. It can also lower the risk of anal or vaginal tears.

Avoid oil-based lubricants or products like massage oils, mineral oil, or petroleum jelly as these can weaken latex condoms and lead to their breaking. Also, it’s best to not use lubricants with nonoxynol-9 as this chemical can irritate the lining of the anus or vagina, increasing your risk of getting HIV.

Get Tested

It’s important that both you and your partner get tested for HIV before you start having sex. A person with HIV can considerably reduce the risk of passing it on to a sexual partner if she or he takes medication known as antiretroviral therapy to treat the infection.

Limit Sexual Partners

Having more sexual partners automatically increases the likelihood of a partner who has HIV or another sexually transmitted disease. Both these aspects can up your risk of getting infected with HIV. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone who doesn’t have HIV is your safest bet.

2. Don’t Share Needles

Sharing needles or other injection equipment can put you at significant risk of getting HIV. If you are addicted to drugs, it’s important to quit. Your doctor will be able to guide you with treatment options for substance abuse.

But if you are injecting drugs, do take measures to protect yourself from HIV and other infections. Always make sure that needles and other equipment you use for injections are new and sterile. Some communities have needle exchange programs which will provide you with new needles for used ones.

If you are getting a piercing or tattoo, make sure a sterilized and clean needle is being used.7

3. Take Preventive Medication

Medicines that can lower your risk of HIV can be used if you have a high risk of infection.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis

If you have a high risk for HIV – for instance, if you are in a sexual relationship with someone who is HIV positive – you can take medication known as pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent infection. This preventive measure requires daily medication and regular doctor visits.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis

Medicines known as post-exposure prophylaxis can help prevent infection after you’ve been potentially exposed – for example, if the condom broke. But remember, this medication needs to be started within 3 days of exposure and the sooner you start taking it the better.

4. Avoid Risky Behaviors

Certain behaviors may increase your risk of getting HIV. For example, if you abuse drugs or alcohol, you may be more likely to engage in sex without a condom or share injection equipment while you’re high.

5. Screen And Treat For HIV During Pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, you should get tested for HIV. If you do have HIV, taking the appropriate medicines religiously can greatly lower the risk of transmitting it to your baby. In fact, if you start treatment early enough, you can reduce the risk to about 1% or lower.

Breast milk contains HIV. So if you have HIV, you can avoid transmitting it to your baby after delivery by not breastfeeding.

 


7/28/2017 | | Permalink