Prevention:

For a comprehensive discussion, see the prevention section in AIDS.

Safer sex behaviors may reduce the risk of getting the infection. There is still a risk of getting infected with HIV, even if you practice "safe sex," because condoms can break. Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of the HIV virus.

General guidelines:

• Do not have unprotected sexual intercourse with numerous partners, any person who has multiple partners, people who use IV drugs, or people you know or suspect are infected with AIDS.
• Avoid intravenous drugs. If you do use IV drugs, do not share needles or syringes.
• People with AIDS or who have had positive HIV antibody tests can pass the disease on to others and should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm. Do not exchange body fluids during sexual activity.