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On The Job
Health care workers and others who may be exposed to blood
or other body fluids containing blood should use "Universal
Infection Control Precautions" to reduce their
risk.
Contact with every patient, spill or body
fluid should be treated with the same precautions no matter
what information is known (age, sexual orientation, etc).
Use gloves during any procedure involving
needles or bodily fluids
Cover cuts or abrasions with waterproof plaster
Immediately clean any blood spills using gloves,
paper towels and detergent or a chlorine solution.
Use "Spill Kits" usually available
in most health care facilities or through environmental
services.
Wash hands regularly, but especially before
and after treating patients or after any exposure to bodily
fluids.
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Mother To Child Transmission (MTCT)
• Transmission can be during pregnancy,
delivery or through breast milk.
• Women of child-bearing age need to be
informed about HIV risk, ways to prevent HIV infection and
ways to prevent pregnancy.
– Through education about risk, safer sex
and contraceptive options is critical.
– Once pregnant, women need to be HIV tested
to know their status and consider ways to reduce transmission
to child.
Options to Reduce Transmission
During Pregnancy
• Taking some drugs during pregnancy can
prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS.
• AZT can reduce the risk of MTCT by 2/3.
• Other drug options are also available,
discuss options with your health care provider.
Through Breastfeeding
• HIV+ women may transmit HIV to their
child through breastfeeding.
• Infant formula may be a substitute, if
the baby will drink it.
• For women who will breastfeed, exclusive
breastfeeding is recommended
– Exclusive breastfeeding: only feeding through
breast milk, as opposed to mixed feeding which involves
breastfeeding mixed with bottle feeding or water, formula
or other food.
– Keeping the transition from exclusive feeding
to alternate/mixed feeding as short as possible may reduce
the risk of transmitting HIV.
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If You Engage In Sexual Activity
• Know your HIV status and the status of
your partners.
• Use protection when engaging in oral,
anal or vaginal sex.
• If you’re in a monogamous [faithful]
relationship…
- be sure that you and your partner
only have sex with each other.
- neither gets exposed to HIV through
drug use or other sexual activities.
Safer Sexual Activity
Some activities may be safer than others...
Kissing
Erotic Massage
Masturbation
Mutual Masturbation
Phone Sex
Watching your partner undress, masturbate
or other individual activities
Undressing or masturbating in front of your
partner
Oral Sex is safer when…
a condom is used for oral sex on a male
a dental dam or
other latex barrier is used for oral sex on a female or
oral-anal contact. These can be bought at medical supply
stores, drugstores and sex shops.
Plastic Wrap can also be used in the same
way. It is cheaper and more accessible than dental dam.
Condom Use
Condoms are HIGHLY effective, when used correctly and
consistently.
Condoms help to block exposure to semen and protect the
male urethra against exposure to vaginal secretions. Male
and Female condoms are available. Your partner's attitude
should NOT influence the use of condoms,
you need to protect yourself. Even if you are on birth
control, you are NOT protected against HIV or STIs. Don’t
assume that you are HIV-free; don't assume your partner
is HIV-free.
• Condoms DO NOT interfere
with sexual enjoyment
Talk to your partner about condom usage.
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How to Use a Male Condom
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• Use a new condom
for each act of vaginal, anal or oral sex.
• Use the condom throughout
sex from start to finish.
• Make sure the condom
is LATEX or POLYURETHANE rather than natural skin
condoms.
• Store condoms in
a cool place, out of direct sunlight (not in wallets
or glove compartments).
• Check the expiration
date.
• Carefully open the
package -- teeth or fingernails can tear the condom.
Put on the condom after the penis is erect and before
it touches any part of a partner's body.
• Make sure the condom
is not on backwards. If the condom is on the penis
and then you realize the condom is on backwards,
discard and use a new condom.
• Pinch the reservoir
tip and unroll it all the way down the shaft of
the penis from head to base. If the condom does
not have a reservoir tip, pinch it to leave a half-inch
space at the head of the penis for semen to collect
after ejaculation.
• Adequate lubrication
is important to prevent condom breakage, but use
only water based lubricants, such as glycerin or
lubricating jellies. DO NOT use oil-based lubricants
such as petroleum jelly, cold cream, hand lotion,
or baby oil.
• Withdraw the penis
immediately after ejaculation. While the penis is
still erect, grasp the rim of the condom between
the fingers and slowly withdraw the penis (with
the condom still on) so that no semen is spilled.
• Discard the condom
in the trash.
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If You Use Illicit Drugs
The best way to avoid infection is to not
use drugs. If you are under the influence of drugs, you
might forget to use protection during sex.
Drug use that requires equipment (such as
needles, syringes, cookers, cotton or rinse water) has
special precautions. Use NEW equipment EVERYTIME!
If you don’t use new equipment, learn
how to properly clean it with a bleach and water solution.
Water alone may not sufficiently clean equipment. Seek
counseling at the UTSA
Counseling Center.
Prevention in the Future
There are many scientist working on prevention efforts.
Some are working on vaccines, some are working on other
prevention techniques. One such technique is Microbisides.
Microbicides are being developed to prevent HIV transmission.
Microbicides are liquids or gel substances used before
sex that could block infection by physical, chemical or
medicinal means.
White a lot of work remains, Microbicides may be possible
in the next 5-8 years.
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