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Whether you have HIV or believe you do not, there are things you can do to prevent HIV infections.
If you have HIV
Notify your partner or partners
Once you are diagnosed with HIV, you and your doctor can discuss the best way to notify your sexual partner or partners. Any sexual partners and those with whom you have shared needles must be informed that you are HIV+ and encouraged to be tested for HIV. Most health departments and HIV clinics have anonymous partner notification systems if you wish to use them — your partners are told that they have been exposed but are not told who reported their names or when the reported exposure occurred.
Practice safe sex and take your anti-HIV medications regularly
If you have not already, begin using safe sex strategies, such as using condoms. Also, by taking your HIV treatment medications as prescribed, you will significantly reduce your chances of transmitting HIV to others. Use these HIV prevention strategies even if your partner is also HIV+. Your partner may have a different strain of the virus, and either of you being infected by a different strain may cause complications. If you inject drugs, don’t share your needles with anyone else.
Pregnancy and HIV
If you wish to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about how to prevent transmitting HIV to your baby. According to the National Institutes of Health, taking prescribed HIV medicines throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery reduces the risk of perinatal transmission to less than 1 percent! To learn more about treatments for people living with HIV and their babies, go to the 24/7 Illinois Perinatal HIV Hotline.
Consider HIV Testing and PrEP
Get tested to confirm you do not have HIV. That’s important because about one in six Americans who are HIV+ don’t know they are. Not only are these individuals not receiving necessary medical treatment, they can unknowingly spread HIV by having sex without a condom.
Do not have unprotected sex unless you are absolutely certain both you and your partner do not have HIV. It’s a good idea to get tested along with your partner, so that you know each other’s status.
If you have tested negative for HIV, you should get tested again if you have unprotected sex with a new partner or have a new sexually transmitted infection (STI).
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a safe, effective prescription medicine that can reduce the risk of getting HIV by as much as 99%. PrEP has both pill and injectable options. In most cases, the cost of PrEP medication and services are covered by health insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare with no out-of-pocket costs.
PrEP 4 Illinois
PrEP4Illinois is a medication assistance program for HIV-negative people in Illinois who have risk factors for HIV and have a prescription for PrEP from a medical provider. The website can also help connect you to a PrEP prescriber.