How do you prevent an HIV infection?
Prevent HIV infection.
You cannot prevent it completely, but you can reduce the risk of HIV in 5 ways:
safe sex
Regular testing for HIV and other STDs
PrEP
PEP
5 ways.
safe sex
This implies:
Using a condom during vaginal intercourse and anal sex.
Clean sex toys before use with the other person or provide them with a new condom.
Note: HIV is a hidden disease. You cannot see it in yourself and others. That also applies to most STDs. If you have an STD (unnoticed), you are also more susceptible to other STDs and HIV. Only an STI and HIV test can confirm whether you and your partner are STI and HIV free.
Regular testing for HIV and other STDs
The only way to know for sure whether or not you have HIV or another STD is to have an HIV/STD test.
There are many people walking around with HIV without even knowing it! You can already have HIV from 1x unprotected sex. People with HIV who do not receive treatment infect other people.
PrEP
PrEP is a pill that you can use to prevent you from contracting HIV. So it is an HIV prevention pill. PrEP is a safe and effective drug. That has been scientifically proven. PrEP has been available to everyone in the US since 2012, and since 2016 also in France and Norway, among others. If you want to know how to get PrEP in Curaçao, please contact us.
PEP
Using PEP after sex (post exposure prophylaxis)
This is a kind of morning after pill to prevent HIV. You only take this if you have run a high risk of HIV. You can only get PEP through the GGD or get emergency care. It is a course of several weeks with a high risk of side effects.
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