While many of us may be familiar with condoms as a way of preventing HIV being passed on, we now have more prevention tools than before. Chamut Kifetew from Terrence Higgins Trust explains four different ways you can stop HIV.
What comes to your mind when someone mentions ‘HIV prevention’? I can bet that for most people the answer would be condoms – or no sex. The truth is, there are different ways to stop HIV.
- Regular HIV testing
Most people get HIV from someone who doesn’t know they have it. Testing is the only way to know your HIV status – and if everyone tested regularly, rates would go down.
Testing is the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. If your result is negative, you can use the other tools for continuing to prevent HIV. If your result is positive, you can access amazing, free treatment that will keep you healthy, lead a long life and will stop you from passing the virus on.
Not sure if you’re due a test now? This tool will help you decide.
- PrEP
PrEP is one of the new kids on the block and a really important new addition to our tools for preventing HIV. It’s medication that you take if you’re HIV negative to protect yourself from getting HIV. It’s taken before sex and is almost 100% effective when taken as prescribed.
You can read all about PrEP, and where to get it on the It Starts With me website.
- Condoms
Just like people, condoms come in different sizes and thicknesses. Condoms are still the best way to protect yourself from sexual transmitted infections, including HIV.
If you or your partner have had problems with condoms in the past, use this condom quiz to find the best one for you. The right condom is out there, it’s just about finding it.
- HIV treatment
Someone who has HIV and is on effective treatment can’t pass on the virus to their sexual partners. This is based on a lot of scientific research over the last 20 years.
The landmark PARTNER study looked at 888 sexually active couples, where one partner was HIV positive and on effective treatment and the other was HIV negative. They were monitored over a number of years and there were zero HIV transmissions. The evidence is clear.
Make your choice
By choosing one or more of these prevention options, everyone can play their part in stopping HIV – and most importantly, protecting themselves and their loved ones. It’s just about choosing the right options, or options, for you.
It Starts With Me is run by Terrence Higgins Trust on behalf of Public Health England. For more information about HIV prevention visit startswithme.org.uk.
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