Are there any means of protection against HIV infection? HIV infection: how to protect yourself and your loved ones

AIDS is fatal disease, for which there is no guaranteed cure. The question of how to protect yourself from HIV is of interest to almost the entire population of the world who have heard about this dangerous disease.

The progression of this disease can continue for quite some time. long time. The final stage is AIDS. This is the stage during which the body completely loses its ability to fight disease. If you know how to protect yourself and your family from HIV infection, then this disease can be avoided. To do this, it is necessary to understand the mechanism and ways of spreading this virus.

Methods of transmission

Science has proven that the human immunodeficiency virus is found in the biological fluids that make up the human body. His transfer healthy person can only be carried out through direct contact with blood or semen. For short-term body contact, during breathing, coughing or sneezing, infection does not occur. Also, we can safely say that viruses do not live on the surface of the skin or on objects touched by an infected person. HIV cannot exist outside the human body.

The routes of transmission of HIV infection can be the following:

1. During sexual intercourse without using a condom. The infection is transmitted during vaginal, oral and anal sex. At the same time, it does not have special significance partner orientation. The disease is equally likely to affect both men and women. Infection occurs through microcracks that exist on the mucous membrane of the genital organs of sexual partners. The virus then enters the circulatory system.
2. Drug use by intravenous infusion. As a rule, this process occurs in unsanitary conditions. Syringes are not processed. Very often one syringe is used repeatedly, which leads to mass infection. It is not uncommon for drug addicts to use syringes found on the street to inject.
3. Carrying out medical procedures. Such cases are quite rare. But if they are not followed basic rules sterilization of reusable devices, this is possible. There is a certain risk of infection when receiving blood or plasma transfusion from a donor. Currently, all donors are tested for HIV, which virtually eliminates such cases.
4. On the maternal side. Since mother and fetus have the same circulatory system, then the likelihood of the child becoming infected is quite high. It persists after birth big risk infection of an infant through breast milk.
5. In a household way. A person who is a carrier of HIV infection can transmit the virus through a razor or toothbrush. Virus for a long time can live in microscopic parts of blood that remain on these objects. The virus gets onto brushes and razors due to cuts in the skin or bleeding gums. Even blood from a finger cut in the kitchen can cause infection.

Science does not know any other means of infection. Infection does not occur through things or objects belonging to the patient. If there is an HIV-infected person in the family, this is not a reason to isolate him. Knowing how to protect yourself from HIV infection, you can live in safety for years, creating comfortable conditions for the patient.

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Ways to protect against infection

Knowing that immunodeficiency is incurable disease, it is necessary to follow certain rules and self-restraints throughout your life. Knowing how to protect yourself from HIV, you can special effort protect yourself and your loved ones from mortal danger associated with this disease.

Prevention of HIV infection consists of the following activities:

1. Constant observance of personal hygiene rules. They consist in the fact that you must use exclusively your own toothbrush, manicure set and razor. If there is the slightest possibility that they were used by another person, then these things must be disposed of immediately.
2. Avoid direct contact with the blood of your loved ones or strangers. A person can be a carrier of HIV without knowing it. If contact is unavoidable, rubber gloves should be worn. Bandages stained with blood should be packed in an airtight container to protect others.
3. Avoid casual sex. This is the main reason for the spread dangerous disease. If this happens, you must use condoms. It should be remembered that drinking alcohol removes all restrictions and leads to unprotected sexual intercourse.
4. Get rid of drug addiction. It's quite difficult, but quite possible. If we're done with bad habit does not come out immediately, then the injections must be carried out under sterile conditions using disposable devices.
5. Harden the body in order to increase its resistance to the influence of external factors.
6. Eat right, regularly and rationally. Strong body It suppresses viruses and bacteria better and more efficiently, which significantly reduces the likelihood of exacerbation.

A person infected with HIV can survive long life and die a natural death while conducting healthy image life.

Instructions

Each person should think for himself about how to protect himself from HIV infection. This will not require much effort if you clearly know the ways of spreading the disease and methods of self-defense. First of all, take care of the protected act. Each partner must ensure that, in any form, not even particles of blood or vaginal lubricant enter his body. Modern medicine can offer a lot of methods of protection against unwanted, but from AIDS Only a condom can protect you.

If we recall the history of the very first outbreak of the disease AIDS on the territory of Russia in the Elista Children's Hospital, then the requirement to use to perform any medical manipulations, especially those associated with contact with blood, disposable sterile medical instruments. For patients, it should be habitual and necessary to use any syringes for disposable use only, because the slightest violation sterilization techniques for medical instruments and equipment lead to the fact that HIV will remain active and, if it enters the body, will cause the development of the disease.

It is mandatory for healthcare workers to use it during any contact with biological fluids individual funds skin protection - after all, HIV can enter the body through the smallest and invisible microcracks and wounds.

Naturally, the most the right way protection against infection is abstinence from casual sexual relations or monogamy, in which partners have any contact only with each other. Unfortunately, these conditions are often not met, so always use condoms even with trusted partners.

Don't use narcotic substances And alcoholic drinks, since in a state of intoxication the ability to resist and intelligibility in sexual relations is noticeably reduced. In this type of relationship, contraception is often forgotten, so the cost is quite high. Also avoid reusing syringes and needles. Currently, the prevalence of HIV carriage and viral hepatitis, which among injection drug addicts is much higher than among the rest of the population, and it is this category of patients that becomes the main source of infection. Only these methods can guarantee human safety and significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Sources:

• How is AIDS transmitted?

AIDS is a stage of HIV infection characterized by the appearance of numerous infections and diseases against the background of decreased immunity. The main method of prevention AIDS is protection against infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

You will need

• - condoms;
• - sterile syringes and needles;
• - disposable gloves;
• - 70% alcohol solution;
• - 5% iodine solution;
• - 1% boric acid solution;
• - 1% solution of protargol.

Instructions

If you need to perform mouth-to-mouth breathing while helping a person, perform the procedure through a handkerchief or any other tissue.

If for any reason you come into contact with the blood and other biological fluids of HIV-infected people, or if you are caring for an HIV-positive person, wear gloves. If you have wounds or other defects on your skin, you cannot work even with gloves until the skin is completely healed.

First of all, you need to find out from your patient’s attending physician what viruses can be transmitted from him to you or to other household members. This is also important if you yourself are HIV positive.

For example, several different microorganisms can cause diarrhea. If you have to clean up after someone with diarrhea, use disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly when you take them off. Do not use disposable gloves twice.

If tap water turns out to be contaminated with cryptosporidium or other pathogens, you can buy bottled (distilled) water for cooking and drinking.

If a patient with AIDS has a persistent cough for more than a week, the doctor should examine him for tuberculosis. If the diagnosis of tuberculosis is confirmed, you and everyone else in the house should also be tested for tuberculosis, even if there is no cough. If you are diagnosed with the TB virus, you can take medicine to prevent the disease from developing.

If the skin of a person with AIDS becomes yellowish (a sign acute hepatitis), or he is sick chronic hepatitis You, everyone in your household, and all sexual partners of someone with AIDS should see a doctor to see if they need to take medications for hepatitis. All children should be vaccinated against hepatitis B, regardless of whether they are close to someone with AIDS.

If a person with AIDS develops blisters or sores (virus herpes simplex) around the mouth or nose, do not kiss him there or touch the rash. If you have to touch the rash to help someone who is sick, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after removing them. This is especially important if you have eczema (skin prone to allergic reaction), since the herpes simplex virus can lead to serious illnesses skin in people with eczema. Throw away used gloves; never use disposable gloves twice.

Many people with AIDS, as well as healthy people, are infected with the so-called cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can be transmitted through urine or saliva. Wash your hands after touching the urine or saliva of someone with AIDS. This is especially important for pregnant women because they can infect their unborn child with the virus. CMV leads to birth defects such as deafness.

Remember that in order to protect yourself and the person with AIDS from various diseases, it is necessary to wash your hands with soap before and after assisting a patient, before preparing food, after removing disposable gloves, and also after visiting the restroom.

Gloves

Since the virus that causes AIDS is in the blood of an infected person, you can become infected through his blood and other body fluids (for example, bloody feces) that contain blood. You can protect yourself by doing some simple rules. Wear disposable gloves if you come into contact with semen, vaginal secretions, cuts or rashes on the body of someone with AIDS, or their blood or body fluids containing blood.

Wear gloves when assisting a patient, making contact with his mouth in the process. anus or genitals. Use them when changing diapers or sanitary pads, emptying bedpans or urine bags. If you have cuts or rashes on your skin, cover the area with bandages. If you have cuts or rashes on your hands, bandage them and wear gloves. Use them when cleaning up urine, feces, or vomit to avoid germs, HIV, and other viruses that may be present.

There are two types of gloves that you can use. Use disposable latex or vinyl medical gloves when caring for an AIDS patient if you will come into contact with their blood. Throw away these gloves after use. Don't reuse latex gloves, even if they say they can be reused multiple times.

Medical gloves can be purchased in bulk at most pharmacies, where you can also find urine bags, bedpans and other medical equipment. To clean blood or bloody liquid from the surface of the floor or bed, you can use rubber gloves, which can be purchased at any pharmacy or grocery store. These gloves can be washed and reused. Wash them in warm soapy water, using a mixture of water and bleach (a quarter of a glass of bleach per 4 liters of water). Before use, check the gloves for scuffs, cracks or holes. Do not use rubber gloves to care for someone with AIDS; they are too thick and uncomfortable for this purpose.

To remove gloves, pull them down while turning them outward. This way the wet side will be inside and will not come into contact with your skin or other people. After removing gloves, be sure to immediately wash your hands with soap. If there is a lot of blood, you can wear an apron or work coat to avoid staining your clothes. (If a person with AIDS bleeds frequently, call the doctor or nurse.) Wipe up spilled blood as quickly as possible. Wear gloves and wipe up the blood with paper towels or rags, which you then seal in a plastic bag and throw away. After this, wash the area where the blood came in with diluted bleach.

Because HIV can also be in semen, vaginal secretions or breast milk, you should be as careful with these fluids as with the patient's blood.

If blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, or other body fluid from someone with AIDS gets into your eyes, mouth, or nose, wash them immediately big amount water, and then call the doctor. Explain to him what happened and ask him what to do next.

Needles and syringes

A person with AIDS may need needles and syringes to take medications for diseases caused by AIDS or medications such as diabetes, hemophilia. If you have to handle syringes, be careful not to inadvertently inject yourself. This is one of the ways you can get AIDS.

Use needles and syringes only once. Do not put the caps back on the needles. Do not separate needles from syringes. Do not break or bend the needles. If the needle slips off the syringe, use tweezers to pick it up, do not do this with your hands. Handle the syringe by the barrel only. Don't point the needle in your direction. Store used needles and syringes in a puncture-resistant container.

A special container can be obtained from a doctor, nurse, or AIDS organization. If you don't have such a container, use a puncture-resistant container with a plastic lid, such as a coffee can. Keep this container in the room where you have to give injections, away from children and visitors, but in a place where it would be convenient for you to put used syringes immediately after the injection. When the container is full, seal it and get a new one. Ask your doctor or nurse how to dispose of a container filled with used syringes.

If you prick yourself with a needle that was used to inject an AIDS patient, do not panic.

The probability of infection is negligible (less than 1%). However, you should immediately apply for medical care. Place the syringe in a container with used syringes, then wash the injection site with warm water and soap.

Immediately after this, call the hospital or ambulance, regardless of the time of day, explain what happened and ask what to do next. Your doctor may tell you to take a medicine such as azidothymidine. If you are going to take it, you need to do it as quickly as possible, within a few hours after the injection.

Waste

Flush all liquid waste products (urine, vomit) containing blood into the toilet. Be careful and try not to spill anything. Toilet paper with traces of blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or breast milk You can also flush it down the toilet. Paper towels, sanitary pads and tampons, wound dressings, diapers and other items with traces of blood, semen or vaginal discharge should not be flushed down the toilet, but must be packed in plastic bags. Put these things in a bag and wrap it.

Ask your doctor or nurse how to dispose of items that contain blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk. If you are unable to use plastic bags, wrap contaminated items in newspaper to prevent leakage. Wear gloves if you have to handle things contaminated with body fluids of someone with AIDS.

Sex

If you have had sex with an HIV-infected person, or are still doing so, without always using latex condoms, you too may be HIV-infected. Talk to your doctor or psychologist about getting an HIV antibody test. Testing can be anonymous or confidential.

The thought of getting tested may seem daunting. But, if you are infected, the sooner it becomes known, and the sooner you start treatment, the better it will be for you. Discuss with your partner the things that will have to change. It is very important that you take care to protect yourself and your partner from HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Talk about types of sex that don't carry the risk of contracting HIV. If you decide to have sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral), use condoms. Latex condoms can protect you from HIV infection if you use them correctly every time you have sex. For more detailed information Talk to your doctor or HIV/AIDS counselor about safe sex.

Let's protect ourselves from AIDS

What is AIDS?

AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Syndrome - because it exists a large number of signs, symptoms, complications associated with the disease.

Acquired - the disease is not caused by a genetic predisposition, but is acquired in a specific way.

Immunodeficiency - the immune system is suppressed and loses its ability to resist infections. Thus, AIDS is not a disease in the proper sense of the word; it only creates the conditions for other infectious diseases.

Is AIDS a contagious disease?

AIDS is a contagious disease. AIDS is the last (terminal) stage of HIV infection. The virus, entering another body, infects it.

What are viruses?

The virus was discovered by Russian scientist D.I. Ivanovsky in 1892. It was the tobacco mosaic virus.

What is the structure of the virus? How does a virus enter a cell? How does it multiply (replicate)?

All viruses have two “faces,” that is, they exist in two forms. In resting, or extracellular form, these are virions - particles that necessarily include nucleic acid (1 or 2 strands of DNA or RNA) and a protein shell that protects it. Only simple viruses work this way.

In complex viruses, the virion in addition to this minimum set may contain other proteins.

HIV belongs to the group of retroviruses. This virus contains two strands of RNA and the enzyme reversetase, which is capable of reverse transcription, i.e., transfer of genetic information from RNA to DNA. HIV has a unique variability that is 5 times greater than the variability of the influenza virus and 100 times greater than that of the hepatitis B virus. Infection begins at the cellular level when the virus attacks T lymphocytes

All information about the structure of the virion is recorded in nucleic acid. DNA can be linear or circular. RNA is most often linear, but in some viruses it lies in the particle not as one long molecule, but in the form of a set of pieces - fragments. Each piece carries its own part of the genetic program of the virus. The amount of hereditary information in different types viruses vary greatly: from 3 genes to 200.

The penetration of the virus into the cytoplasm of the cell is preceded by its binding to a special protein - a receptor located on the surface of the cell. A special protein of the virus “recognizes” the corresponding receptor on the cell surface. The area of ​​the cell surface to which the virus has attached is immersed in the cytoplasm and turns into a vacuole. A vacuole whose wall consists of cytoplasmic membrane, can merge with other vacuoles or the nucleus. This way the virus is delivered to any part of the cell. Bacterial viruses have a different route of entry into cells. The bacteriophage inserts a hollow rod into the cell and pushes DNA or RNA through it.

Stages of viral replication.

Adsorption is the process of virus attachment to the cell surface.

Injection – penetration of the virus into the body.

Replication is due to the nucleotides contained in the cell.

Synthesis of viral proteins (capsid proteins and enzymes) occurs on cell ribosomes.

Assembly of viral particles is carried out from viral nucleic acids and viral proteins synthesized by the affected cell.

The release of viral particles from the affected cell. In bacteria it is often accompanied by lysis (destruction) of the cell; in eukaryotes it occurs by protruding the cell membrane and “pushing” viral particles into the environment. New virus particles found themselves in environment, infect new cells, and the cycle of virus development repeats again.

Are the concepts of HIV and AIDS unambiguous?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that is transmitted from person to person through certain routes and causes dysfunction or destruction of the human body's immune system.

HIV infection is a disease that occurs when the immunodeficiency virus enters the human body.

AIDS is short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This is the last (terminal) stage of HIV infection.

How is HIV infection transmitted?

The immunodeficiency virus can enter the human body only:

1. During unprotected sexual contact with someone who is HIV-infected or has AIDS.

2. When the blood of an HIV-infected or AIDS patient enters the body of a healthy person.

3. From an HIV-infected or AIDS-infected mother to a child. This can happen during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

4. HIV spreads through sexual contact (both homo- and heterosexual).

5. When transfusion of donor blood.

6. When using poorly sterilized medical instruments.

It is believed that HIV is not transmitted through air, water, food, or insect bites.

How does HIV progress to the AIDS stage?

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is late stage HIV infection (human immunodeficiency virus). Several weeks after HIV infection, the temperature sometimes rises, The lymph nodes, red spots appear on the skin. But such signs do not always appear, and if they appear, they quickly disappear. After several months or years, immunity decreases. HIV attacks the main cells of the immune system - lymphocytes. As a result, AIDS manifests itself in the form of tumors or infections. A person may die 3-10 years after infection.

Can a single contact lead to infection?

Yes maybe. If it is sexual intercourse without a condom, it will be an injection with a non-sterile syringe, that is, a syringe used by an HIV-infected or AIDS patient.

Which population groups are most at risk of infection?

Most at risk of infection: drug addicts and people who engage in disorderly behavior sex life, i.e., frequently changing sexual partners with unprotected sex.

How long does it take for a person to determine whether he is infected or not?

In each person, the manifestation of the disease can occur differently: from 2-3 weeks to 6-12 months (on average - after 3 months).

What is an HIV test?

Only a doctor can make a diagnosis of HIV infection based on clinical data and positive laboratory research blood for immunodeficiency virus.

Within 5 days after infection, specific antibodies against the HIV virus appear in the blood and can be detected. This reaction is most pronounced between the second and seventh weeks.

A person donates blood from a vein, it is taken to a blood transfusion station (there is an AIDS laboratory there). The test itself is very difficult, but only lasts a few minutes. The test determines the presence of specific proteins (antibodies) in a person’s blood to detect the presence of the AIDS virus in the body. The test result may be positive (if such antibodies are present) or negative (if such antibodies are not present). Positive result test indicates that a person is sick.

What is the window period?

Window period ( incubation period) – time from the moment of infection until the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease or until the appearance laboratory signs diseases (protective proteins in the blood). This period lasts from 2-3 weeks to 6-12 months (on average 3 months).

Is it possible by appearance determine whether a person is infected with HIV or not?

The virus can remain in the body for ten years or more before a person experiences any symptoms of the disease. During this period, a person may look and feel completely healthy, but may still pass the virus on to others.

Thus:

You can get HIV without even knowing it;

It is possible to pass HIV on to others without knowing it.

What are clinical manifestations AIDS?

Infection with HIV does not mean having AIDS. Most infected people go through a stage of asymptomatic virus carriage for 3-5 years, and many even up to 12 years, during which the carrier is dangerous because he can infect others.

Many infected people develop an “AIDS-related symptom complex” (ARC - AIDS - related comlpex), which is manifested by enlarged lymph nodes, diarrhea, fever, night sweats, stomatitis, and a number of infections (fungi, herpes). The longer this symptom complex lasts, the more risk development active form AIDS.

Manifestations of AIDS are varied: damage to the central nervous system(up to chronic meningitis and dementia), as well as leukemia and tumor formation.

Does an HIV-infected person always develop AIDS?

Definitely, always. If a person is infected, this does not mean that he will immediately develop AIDS, but he will definitely develop it. The virus can remain in the body for up to 10 years or more, it gradually destroys immune system, and eventually it becomes so weak that the person develops serious problems with health.

Should I be afraid of communicating in everyday life with people infected with AIDS?

There is no need to be afraid of communicating with people with AIDS.

HIV infection is not transmitted in everyday life.

It is impossible to become infected by sharing utensils and toilets with HIV-infected people, by swimming in the same pool with them, by saying hello and hugging.

Why can HIV only live in the human body?

HIV can only live in the human body, since the virus is able to interact only with human cells that contain specific proteins that are not characteristic of animals.

Is it possible to prevent HIV infection through sexual intercourse?

You can prevent HIV infection through sexual contact by:

You will have a permanent sexual partner;

You will use a condom (a condom must be purchased in pharmacies and should cost at least 10 rubles per piece, not per pack).

Why do cases of discrimination against HIV-positive people occur?

Cases of discrimination against HIV-infected people arise due to the fact that most people simply have an “animal” fear of this disease and due to ignorance of the true routes of transmission and prevention of HIV infection.

Are there any treatments for HIV infection?

Until now, medicine cannot find a cure for AIDS. Existing facilities can only maintain health and slow down the course of the disease, but not stop it completely. Creating vaccines against AIDS is apparently as difficult as creating vaccines against influenza, due to the great variability of the virus. HIV has a unique variability that is 5 times greater than the variability of the influenza virus and 100 times greater than that of the hepatitis B virus.

Treatment is still ineffective (the main drug is azidothymidine).

Because reliable medicines There is still no cure for AIDS, fatal outcome for all these people it is practically predetermined.

As part of the implementation of the “Priority National Project in the Sphere of Health,” 3.1 billion rubles have been allocated for the prevention and fight against HIV/AIDS. The money will be used for the prevention and treatment of HIV-infected people.

What is the difficulty of treating HIV infection?

Anti AIDS drugs affect certain enzymes of the virus, and therefore its reproduction stops. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to completely cure a patient with medication. The fact is that the AIDS virus is integrated into the genome of the cell various organs and you can’t get him out of there. With the help of drugs, you can ensure that the virus disappears from the blood. There are no free particles, it does not infect new cells, but still remains in the body; and as soon as the drug is stopped, it reappears in the blood.

The virus that causes HIV infection last stage, which is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Some strains of HIV may be resistant to certain medications. Knowing how HIV infection spreads, it is easy to protect yourself and your loved ones. Read this article and you will learn how to protect yourself from HIV infection.

Steps

Protect yourself

Find out how HIV infection spreads. Unfortunately, you may come across a lot of conflicting information about how this virus spreads. This virus is transmitted by contact infected blood, sperm or vaginal discharge with damaged skin or mucous membranes (ie mouth, nose, vagina, rectum, exposed penis). HIV is transmitted through the biological fluids of an infected person: blood, semen, vaginal secretions during anal, vaginal or oral sex.

• This means that you can kiss (as long as there are no wounds or cuts), hug and communicate with a person who has HIV without worrying about your health.
• Don't assume that someone who doesn't have symptoms doesn't have HIV. People can have HIV for many years before developing AIDS, and anyone infected can transmit the virus.

1. Do not abuse alcohol or recreational drugs. Loss of control can lead to dangerous situations or rash decisions that increase the likelihood of engaging in unprotected sex or other activities that involve high risk HIV infection.

   Treat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The risk of HIV infection increases with concomitant sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections. Infections weaken the immune system and make a person more susceptible to HIV. So if you have venereal disease without delay, start treating him. Today, medicine has vaccines against some sexually transmitted infections.

   Do not share needles or syringes. Become infected with HIV when sharing needles and syringes are very simple. Blood from infected person remains in the used syringe and needle, and the person who uses such a syringe can also become infected. In a number of countries, syringe exchange charities operate to reduce the spread of HIV among drug users, who often use the same syringe more than once.

   Get circumcised. Circumcision reduces the likelihood of a man becoming infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. However, if you are a woman and have sex with a circumcised man, please note that this does not protect you from HIV infection. If you haven't gotten circumcised yet, you may want to think about it and take the plunge.

   Accept Urgent measures to prevent infection. If you have been in contact with someone who has HIV, seek medical help immediately. If you take a preventative course within 72 hours of infection, there is a chance that the virus will be destroyed. But it should be understood that emergency prevention does not provide a 100% guarantee. Studies have shown that post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV is often ineffective, especially in men after anal sex.

   Avoid contact with other people's blood or other body fluids. You cannot be one hundred percent sure that a person is not a carrier of HIV infection. So take steps to protect yourself. Avoid touching other people's blood if possible, and avoid contact with other body fluids that can spread HIV. These liquids include:

   • Sperm
   • Vaginal discharge
   • Rectal discharge
   • Breast milk
   • Amniotic fluid, spinal and synovial fluid(usually you may encounter this if you work in the medical field)

2. Get medical help if you become pregnant. HIV infection can be transmitted from mother to child. If you become pregnant but are worried that you may have contracted HIV infection, take a test. necessary tests and seek medical attention immediately. This will reduce your child's risk of infection. However, for this you will need to take the help of a doctor.

   Consult your doctor. If you are experiencing health problems, be sure to consult your doctor! If you are unable to see a doctor, many countries have government programs to help people with HIV. Find out if there are such programs in your area.

Talk to your partner

Get tested as often as possible. Thanks to this, you can protect yourself and your partner from unpleasant consequences. Do everything you can to protect your partner if you have had contact with another person! Since some partners may lie and provide inaccurate information about their health, the safest option is to get tested together.

1. Practice safe sex to prevent HIV. Only have unprotected sex if you are in a mutually monogamous relationship in which both you and your partner are not infected with HIV or another STD. Remember, prevention is better than cure. This is the best way to take care of yourself and your partner. Don't say "just once"! This one time could cost you your life. Methods for preventing HIV infection:

   • Male condoms
   • Female condoms
   • Condoms for oral sex (can be used by men and women!)

2. Use lubricating gels. Of course, it is impossible to prevent HIV using these products, but in fact, lubricating gels can protect you to some extent! By using a condom, you expose yourself to a serious risk of infection if the condom breaks. The best way to prevent a condom from breaking is to reduce the load on it. Gel lubricant can help you with this. It is better to use lubricant on water based. If you protect yourself with a condom, the oil can disrupt the structure of the latex, it can tear or lose elasticity.

   • Gel lubricant is important when engaging in anal sex; it is not for nothing that there are special high-strength condoms for anal sex. Breaking a condom during anal sex is more dangerous than during vaginal sex.