Bratislav Prokić, April 2022
How to protect oneself from HIV infection?
The most effective strategies are: get tested for HIV together with your partner, use condoms with every sexual relationship, and do not share needles for drug use. HIV prevention therapy (PrEP and PEP) is also an option.
Why is HIV testing important for prevention?
Early detection of HIV infection and its timely treatment guarantees preservation of the immune system and prevention of the development of HIV-related diseases. HIV therapy (antiretroviral therapy – ART) suppresses the virus to immeasurable levels and prevents further transmission through sexual contact.
Do other sexually transmitted infections increase the risk of HIV?
If a person has urethritis or a genital ulcer, due to a sexually transmitted infection such as gonorrhea or syphilis, the transmission of HIV infection is more likely. If other sexually transmitted infections are present, it is necessary to perform an HIV test after the end of the window period.
Does using drugs with sex (chemsex) increase the risk of HIV?
Chemsex is associated with sex without a condom and/or with multiple partners, especially in men who have sex with men. Studies show that reporting chemsex without a condom gave a higher chance of acquiring HIV infection.
How much does a condom protect against HIV infection?
Condoms effectively reduce the risk of HIV infection, as well as other sexually transmitted infections, if they are used correctly and consistently - during every sexual encounter. It is estimated that, in preventing HIV infection, male condoms are effective 90% and female 94%.
How much does PrEP protect against HIV infection?
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a therapy for people who do not have HIV, but are at risk of becoming infected. If used correctly, PrEP reduces the risk of infection through sex by more than 99% and through injecting drugs by 74%. Using PrEP starts before risky sexual intercourse.
What is PEP?
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is therapy taken up to 48/72h after potential exposure to HIV, such as unprotected sex. Some observational studies show that PEP reduces the risk of infection by 80%.
How much does HIV therapy prevent the transmission of infection?
People with HIV who achieve and maintain immeasurable viral load by regularly taking HIV drugs, are not contagious, that is, the risk of transmitting HIV infection to HIV-negative partners is zero.
Does a monogamous relationship protect against HIV infection?
A monogamous relationship between people who do not have HIV (confirmed by a test) can prevent infection, only if both partners do not have risky sexual encounters outside the relationship and do not have other risks for HIV infection, such as sharing drug needles.