5 Tips for HIV Prevention

There are still many misconceptions about HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. There is not an awareness of it like there was when it was first discovered and recognized in the early 1980s, and treatments have progressed to the point that a person who has HIV can live a long time. However, millions of people are still diagnosed every year with HIV, and prevention is the best cure since a cure has yet to be developed.

STAR or Special Treatment and Research Program located in Brooklyn is a primary care center for those battling HIV. We have been designated a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). We’ve been providing comprehensive care for people with HIV since 1992. Qualified HIV specialists care for men, women, and families. From medication counseling to nutritional and mental health treatment, we can help. Below, we’ll offer up five tips for HIV prevention. Contact us today to get started!

5 TIPS FOR HIV PREVENTION

Abstinence

HIV is a sexually-transmitted disease that is spread through semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk. The only 100% sure way to prevent HIV infection is by abstinence. Having fewer sexual partners in your lifetime also decreases the chance of you acquiring the disease. In addition, staying monogamous in a relationship also decreases your chances of becoming HIV positive. You and your partner both can be tested as well before you begin a sexual relationship in order to determine if either one of you have the disease.

Use Condoms

If you do choose to be sexually active, STAR Program recommends that you use condoms every time you have sex. While this is not 100% guaranteed that you won’t acquire the disease, it decreases the likelihood immensely. While many people complain of the use, smell, and feel of condoms, it’s a small price to pay to still be intimate with someone whom you care for, but also to protect your long-term health for the future.

Take PrEP

PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a daily pill that you can take to prevent HIV if you don’t already have the disease. It has been shown to decrease your chance of obtaining HIV by more than 90%. PrEP is also known as Truvada. PrEP is for those who are at high risk of acquiring HIV. This includes those who:

• Don’t use condoms but have sex regularly
• Has a sexual partner who has HIV
• Has a sexual partner who is at a high risk for HIV
• If you’ve had a different STD recently
• If you work in the sex industry
• If you have many sexual partners

Show Affection in Other Ways

While having sexual relations is the ultimate way to show your affection for someone else, there are other ways to express your feelings for someone else without engaging in sex. You can masturbate or just kiss. You can rub your bodies together or touch each other’s genitals. You can use clean sex toys, or you can just be together. Since there is no cure for HIV, it’s much better to be safe than acquire a disease you will have to fight the rest of your life and that may actually claim your life one day.

Don’t Share Needles

HIV can be spread by coming into contact with infected blood that then gets into your body. Drug users are at a high risk of getting HIV because they tend to share needles. Needles usually have direct contact with your bloodstream, so when you use a needle that someone else has used, odds are, there is still that other person’s blood on the needle. If you do use needles regularly to treat a condition that you have, then only use them for you or one time only.

CHOOSE STAR PROGRAM FOR ALL YOUR AIDS EDUCATION, TREATMENT & PREVENTION NEEDS

STAR Program is located in Brooklyn, NY. We offer comprehensive care for those suffering from HIV and AIDs. Our Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) has specialists who can ensure you get the best care possible. We offer PrEP for those at high risk of acquiring HIV, and we offer HIV testing that is strictly confidential if you feel you’ve been exposed to it. We take special care of women with HIV, as well as women who are HIV positive and pregnant to ensure the health of the mother and the baby. We focus on offering education so that you can manage your HIV care. We can help you with nutritional guidance to keep you on the path to health and wellness while being HIV positive.

STAR Program helps those with HIV in any way we can. We offer home visits in order to help educate you about your medication and to offer ongoing support. We offer individual and family counseling services if you are suffering from any mental health issues related to having HIV, or you are just struggling to care for yourself from family issues or substance abuse. We are here for you no matter what you need. There is no need to feel afraid or to be isolated because you are HIV positive. Our licensed mental health professionals can offer you the treatment you need to lead a healthy and productive life. The better you take care of your health, the longer you will live since HIV attacks your ability to fight infection and diseases. Reach out to our team to learn more and receive care today!

Categorised in: HIV Prevention

This post was written by suny-admin