Preventing Aids/HIV - How To?
The first step in preventing Aids/HIV is to stop believing the old myths that are associated with this virus. It was once a major belief that only homosexual men or women could get HIV. This is not true as recent studies have shown 78% of women and 16% of men get HIV through heterosexual contact. There has also been a myth that since a person is receiving treatments that they will not pass on the HIV virus. Again, people with HIV or AIDs need to practice safe sex at all times. All the myth that you would be able to tell if a partner has HIV by looking at them is untrue. There can be years between symptoms actually occurring and plenty of time to spread HIV before symptoms occur.
A simple education is the best way to prevent aids but there are also certain practices that need to be done in conjunction with education. With many of the cases of HIV being spread by sexual intercourse most of the safe behaviors to prevent infection are associated with safe sex. The best way to prevent infection is to not have unprotected sex outside of marriage or a long term committed relationship. If there has been unprotected sex committed outside of these relationships the only way to be sure that someone does not have the HIV virus is to get tested.
Different types of safe sex practices are also a way to prevent infection. During sexual acts a mouth, penis, anus, or vagina has to come into contact with an infected mouth, penis, anus, or vagina to pass on the virus. This means that practices such as mutual masturbation, exotic massages, and even kissing are safe practices. Until you know that your partner is HIV or AIDS free, these sexual practices are safe and help prevent the spread of the virus. Oral sex without a condom can still spread HIV and should be considered unsafe.
If you are going to have sex make sure to use a latex or polyurethane condom. It is also very important for women to make sure that their new sex partner is using a latex or polyurethane condom as well. There should not be any excuses for not practicing safe condom sex for new partners. Natural-Skin condoms protect from pregnancy but do not protect from sexually transmitted diseases. Female condoms will also protect against infections. It is very important that the condoms are used right away and not just before a man is ready to ejaculate. It is also important that condoms are put on properly and that oil based lubes are not used with latex condoms. Proper condom usage is the best way to prevent infection and the spread of HIV or AIDS.
Besides sexual intercourse drug usage is a major reason why people spread HIV and AIDS. That means that stopping illegal drug usage is the best way to prevent infection. For people that are addiction to drugs it is important to not inject drugs as sharing needles are a major way infection is spread. In fact no piece of drug equipment should be shared with other users. Also people that are high tend to not have safe sex further increasing the chances of infection. People using drugs and not practicing safe sex are at a much higher risk, which is why combining the two behaviors can be particularly problematic.