Prevention as easy as 1-2-3

Preventing HIV is easy.  HIV is not so easily spread if you take the necessary precautions to avoid coming into contact with semen or blood and by getting tested during pregnancy to ensure your child is born HIV negative and to avoid breast-feeding.

Use a condom

Use a latex-condom with a water-based lubricant each and every time you have sex. Remember, every time you sleep with someone, you are sleeping with their sexual past.  Free condoms and lubricants are available at AIDS PEI.

Avoid non-oxynol 9 and other spermicides and spermicidal lubricants. They can cause tears which can create easy pathways for HIV to get into your body if the condom should break.

Remember: condoms are not 99% effective and spermicides will not kill HIV.

Do not share injection drug equipment

If you use injection drugs, avoid sharing your equipment (needles, “rigs”). HIV and Hepatitis C can be easily spread. Visit our local needle exchange program.  Call  toll-free: (877)637-0333   Local (direct): 368-5707 for information on services including hours of operation.

Visit our website on safer injection for more information.

Get tested during pregnancy

If you test positive during pregnancy: don’t worry – you can work with your doctor to prevent HIV in your child.  However, you must remember that HIV can be spread through breast milk so your child could not be breast-fed.

Talk to your doctor if you do test positive. Medication can be taken to prevent mother-to-child transmission (also known as vertical transmission).