SERVICE IS ALL ABOUT YOU
Service is All about you
STDs are one of the significant public health concerns in today’s healthcare environment. Some STDs are treatable and have been cured. Others, such as HIV and Hepatitis B, have no cure, but if we know how the virus spreads, we can all do something to help stop it, and we can treat the concurrent complications and infections. Whether you’re HIV positive or negative, prevention is essential to protect you and others.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that mainly attacks the body’s immune system. If not treated, HIV can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Therefore, it is imperative to know the basics about HIV and to keep yourself healthy. If you get an STD, you are more likely to receive HIV than someone who is STD-free. It is because the same behaviors and circumstances that may put you at risk for getting an STD also can put you at greater risk for acquiring HIV. In addition, having a break or lesion in the skin from an STD may allow HIV to enter your body more quickly. If you are sexually active, get tested for STDs and HIV regularly, even if you don’t have symptoms. HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender, or age.
Do you know how the virus spreads?
HIV Is found in an infected person’s blood and other bodily fluids such as semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), vaginal fluid, rectal fluid, and breast milk. HIV spreads when bodily fluids from an HIV-positive person enter the body of the HIV-negative individual. Unprotected sex is the primary way HIV and other sexually transmitted infections spread. HIV can also be transmitted through:
1. Anal, oral, or vaginal sex
2. Sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment
3. Pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
4. Small amounts of blood spread
5. Deep kissing or oral sex—extremely rare
6. Blood transfusions in the healthcare setting
HOW CAN I PREVENT GETTING STDS AND HIV?
The only 100% effective way to avoid STDs is not to have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You can do the following things to lower the chances of getting infected with STDs and HIV:
1. Follow less risky sexual activities.
2. Use protective measures, such as a new condom, consistently and correctly for every act of vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
3. Avoid multiple sexual partners.
4. Try to avoid the use of illicit drugs and alcohol use before and during sex.
5. Be honest, talk openly with your healthcare provider, and ask whether you should be tested for STDs and HIV.
6. Talk to your healthcare provider and ask about pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is a good option for you to prevent HIV infection.
Should I get tested?
The only way to know if we are exposed to HIV is by getting tested. But, no matter your test results, you have options to take the necessary steps to protect your health and maintain a healthy life.
When Should I get tested?
One-time testing may not be enough, especially if you are sexually active and having unprotected sex. National guidelines from the CDC and other healthcare groups recommend getting tested at least once a year for anyone at higher risk of acquiring HIV. You are at higher risk for HIV if you meet any of the following criteria:
1. Men who have sex with men
2. People with multiple sexual partners
3. Transgender people who have sex with men
4. People who have recently had other sexually transmitted infection
5. People who use illicit injection drugs
6. you should also get tested or retested if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
What should I do if I am HIV positive?
Talk to your healthcare provider and ask whether pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a good option for you to prevent HIV infection. Discuss your test results with your sexual partner and encourage them to get tested. The risk of getting HIV also may be reduced if your partner takes PrEP medications, as prescribed. However, prEP is less effective if it is not taken consistently. Since PrEP does not protect against other STDs, use a condom every time you have sex.
