AIDS is one such disease that does not have any permanent cure. Available treatment options are only effective in reducing the symptoms associated with the disease. In such scenario, it is important to have adequate protection so that you do not get the infection.

Preventive measures for persons who are HIV-negative

1. It is important to understand all details pertaining to HIV and the way it is transmitted from person to person. One should also have an idea about various symptoms associated with AIDS.

2. Creating public awareness regarding HIV and AIDS by means of educational programs

3. Having a sexual pleasure with a stranger can be dangerous. One should never enter into any such an act. Make sure your partner is not infected with HIV.

4. One should never engage in unprotected sex. One should always use condoms. Latex condoms are more useful than those made of polyurethane.

5. A circumcision performed under a medical supervision can reduce the risk of an HIV infection.

6. HIV can also get transmitted through infected needles and other sharp instruments. Hence, it is always good to use a clean and sterilized needle while injecting drugs. New razor blades should be used while shaving.

7. Blood transfusion is another important mode of HIV transmission. Hence, it is always better to have blood that has been screened and is negative for HIV and other STIs.

Preventive measures for persons infected with HIV

1. The best preventive measure is to completely abstain from having sex. Always follow safe sex practices such as use of condoms and avoiding any oral or anal intercourse. Sexual devices used by HIV positive individuals should not be shared with others. By this way, one can prevent the spread of this disease to others.

2. One should never shares needles, syringes, razors, toothbrushes or blades with others. These items can become a potential source of transmission.

3. An HIV-positive individual should never donate blood or organs. Any such donation can cause the disease to spread to other individuals.

4. If the partner with whom an HIV-positive individual had sex is pregnant, it is always better to share with her the fact about your condition. An early treatment can help in preventing the disease within the woman as well as the child.

If you think you may have been exposed to HIV or AIDS, through unprotected sex with a stranger or accidental exposure to an infected person’s blood, then there’s no time to delay – an HIV test is essential, both for your peace of mind and for the sake of your health. Here are the essential facts that you need to know about HIV and AIDS…

HIV and AIDS are transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. There are several common ways that people are infected:

Sexual contact through vaginal or anal sex • Sharing needles with an infected individual. Rarely, this can include tattoos and piercings • Blood transfusions or accidental exposure to infected blood • Mother to child transmission during pregnancy or during birth. Breast feeding, in some cases, can also lead to HIV infection

The most important precautions to take are to make sure that you always use a new, sterile needle for any injection that you take, and to always use a condom during sex unless both you and your partner have had an HIV test. The contraceptive pill, diaphragms and spermicidal jelly cannot prevent infection during sex – only condoms are an effective preventative.

Unfortunately, HIV and AIDS do not present any clear symptoms. Approximately 4 weeks after infection, most people will suffer a fever, glandular swelling, rashes, a sore throat and muscle aches. Since these symptoms are so general, they are frequently mistaken or misdiagnosed. The only way to be certain is to take an HIV or AIDS test.

There is currently no cure or vaccine for HIV or AIDS. However, there are various courses of retroviral drugs that can help to manage the symptoms and greatly increase the quality and length of life. Early diagnosis is critical, which is why HIV tests are so important for anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to the virus.

There are numerous sexual health clinics around the US that offer confidential HIV tests. Most people choose to purchase them privately rather than through their insurance for the sake of privacy.

The first HIV test that is usually administered is the HIV-1 test. This is a blood test that checks for the antibodies that the body produces to fight the HIV infection. However, it can only be taken six weeks or more after exposure, as it takes time for the body to generate these antibodies. Another HIV test, the HIV PCR, can detect the virus 4-11 days after exposure. If either of these initial tests gives a positive result, follow tests are required to confirm it.

Comprehensive STD screening, including an HIV test, is recommended once a year for all sexually active adults who have three or more sexual partners in that year. An HIV test is also recommended if you intend to start having unprotected sex with a partner, and, due to the risk of transmission to a child, is usually part of a standard health check up at the start of a pregnancy.