Preventing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Human Immunodeficiency Virus
To prevent becoming infected with HIV:
- Abstain from sex or use a male latex condom (includes intercourse and any other sexual acts that result in the exchange of bodily fluids).
- Do not share needles for drug injection.
- Limit your number of sexual partners.
- Avoid sexual partners who are HIV-infected or injection drug users.
- Avoid receiving transfusion of unscreened blood products.
- If you are a healthcare worker:
- Wear latex gloves and facial masks during all procedures.
- Carefully handle and properly dispose of needles.
- Carefully follow universal precautions (a detailed list of how to handle such things as needles and other biohazard materials).
- If you live in a household with an HIV-infected person:
- Wear latex gloves if handling HIV-infected bodily fluids.
- Cover all cuts and sores, yours and the HIV-infected person's with bandages.
- Do not share any personal hygiene items such as razors, toothbrushes, etc.
- Carefully handle and properly dispose of needles used for medication.
Three recent trials involving over 11,000 Africans found that circumcised men were significantly less likely to develop HIV infection compared to uncircumcised men. In the US, most men are already circumcised and the risk of HIV is far lower. It is still important to consider that circumcision can apparently reduce the risk of HIV transmission. *¹
To prevent spreading HIV to others if you are HIV infected:
- Abstain from sex or use a male latex condom (includes intercourse and any other sexual acts that result in the exchange of bodily fluids).
- Inform former or potential sexual partners.
- Do not donate blood or organs.
- Try not to get pregnant. Ask your doctor about contraception.
- If you have a baby, do not breastfeed.
Adult male circumcision significantly reduces risk of acquiring HIV [press release]. National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2006/AMC12_06.htm . Accessed June 13, 2008.
Berkow R. The Merck Manual of Medical Information . New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, Inc.; 2000.
HIV/AIDS A-Z index. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/az.htm . Accessed June 13, 2008.
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/nchstp.html . Accessed June 13, 2008.
Rey D, Krebs M, Partisani M, Hess G, et al. Virologic response of zidovudine, lamivudine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate combination in antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected patients. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr . 2006;43: 530-534.
Ross LL, Parkin N, Gerondelis P, et al. Differential impact of thymidine analogue mutations on emtricitabine and lamivudine susceptibility. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr . 2006;43(5):567-570.
*¹3/8/2007 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Auvert B, Taljaard D, Lagard E, Sobngwi-Tambekou J, Sitta R, Puren A. Randomized, controlled intervention trial of male circumcision for reduction of HIV infection risk: the ANRS 1265 Trial. PLoS Med. 2005;2(11):e298. Epub Oct 25, 2005.
Bailey RC, Moses S, Parker CB, et al. Male circumcision for HIV prevention in young men in Kisumu, Kenya: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2007 Feb 24;369(9562):643-656.
Gray RH, Kigozi G, Serwadda D, et al. Male circumcision for HIV prevention in men in Rakai, Uganda: a randomised trial. Lancet. 2007 Feb 24;369(9562):657-666.
*²2/21/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Mallal S, Phillips E, Carosi G, et al. HLA-B*5701 screening for hypersensitivity to abacavir. N Engl J Med. 2008;358:568-579.
Last reviewed December 2007 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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