How to prevent HIV transmission

Condoms can have a high rate of effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission, but they also protect you from other STIs when they’re used correctly. There are two different types of condoms: one which goes directly over the penis and one which goes into the vagina. Both are just as effective as each other when they’re used as a HIV prevention method.

It’s important to ensure that condoms are used correctly to prevent an HIV infection. For instance, if you’re having sex and you notice that the condom splits or breaks, it should be replaced immediately before you continue. Condoms should never be reused, and they should always be wrapped safely and disposed of carefully after use.

You should also use a condom every time you have sex with a new partner, unless you’re sure that you’re both free from STIs. No barrier method of protection such as condoms will be 100% effective at preventing the transmission of HIV when used on their own.

When condoms are used correctly, they’ll offer both partners up to 90% protection against HIV, so in rare cases they might not work. The main reason they fail is if they’re only put on partway through having sex, or if there’s no space left at the tip for semen to go in to. Rips, tears and damage can also occur if they’re not stored or put on correctly.

An effective way of preventing the spread of HIV through sex or intravenous transmission (injecting) is through the use of a medication known as PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It’s used as an HIV prevention drug and works to stop the virus from surviving in your body if you’re exposed to it.

PrEP has to be taken correctly in order for you to get the most benefit from it. For instance if you’re in a relationship with a partner who’s HIV positive, you should take PrEP daily. The second way of taking PrEP is what’s known as ‘event dosing’ (otherwise known as ‘on-demand’) to prepare yourself. You’d use this method if you know you’re going to have sex with someone who is either HIV positive or has an unknown HIV status.

HIV prevention drugs like PrEP won’t stop HIV from developing if you’ve already been exposed.

If you’ve already been exposed to HIV then you should use alternative treatments to stop HIV from developing or spreading.

When to use PEP

If you might’ve already been exposed to HIV and there’s a risk of it developing, then PrEP medications won’t be suitable for you. In cases like this, you’ll need to ask for advice on using PEP instead. These are medications that can be taken after exposure, but they should be used within 72 hours of having unprotected sex.

As a method of preventing HIV transmission, PEP (known as Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) shouldn’t be used on its own where possible, as it isn’t as effective as other prevention methods - such as using condoms and PrEP together. If you’ve been exposed to HIV and are currently taking PEP, you’ll still need to practice safe sex with barrier protection.

PEP is an option to explore for treatment if you feel as though you might have been exposed to HIV, but should be taken within 72 hours of the possible exposure. If you think you’ve left it longer than 3 days, then speak to a GP or clinician about your options.

On its own, lubricant can’t prevent HIV transmission. However, it can make sex safer by reducing the risk of your condom tearing. It can also decrease the chances of vaginal or anal tears or scratches, as lubricants prevent dryness and friction from occurring .

It’s important to use the right kind of lubricant. Choose water based options only (such as K-Y Jelly) rather than anything oil or petroleum based (like Vaseline or baby oil). Anything oil based will degrade and weaken the latex rubber used in condoms and can cause them to break or tear much more easily. Water-based lubricants are designed for use on the sensitive skin of the genital and anal areas and so will feel kinder on those parts of the body.

Practising safe sex can help. If you’re having sex with a new partner then it’s important to recognise that the riskiest way for HIV to be transmitted is through unprotected anal or vaginal sex. Oral sex and mutual masturbation are safer methods of sexual contact.

If you have multiple or different sexual partners, you’re more at risk of getting or transmitting HIV than if you don’t take any precautions at all. The simple act of using a condom and lubricant together can help to keep you healthy, safe and still allow you to enjoy intimacy when you like.

Knowing your own and your partner’s HIV or STI status is really important so you can understand what protection methods you need to use in order to reduce transmission and risks of getting HIV.

If you know you’re at risk of getting HIV, then it’s important to get regular tests to make sure you’re safe and healthy . If you already have another STI then your risk of getting HIV is increased, so it’s good to get yourself tested regularly in these cases as well.

If you’re engaging in sex with someone whose STI or HIV status is unkown, then it’s always best to protect yourself by using a condom and lubricant.

Medications such as PrEP can be used as a form of ‘on demand’ protection if you know you’re going to have sex with someone who might have HIV. You can discuss how to take it for this reason with your clinician. However it’s worth noting that it’s only recommended for men who are going to have sex with other men. At the moment there is no clinical data on the effectiveness of on-demand dosing for receptive vaginal sex.

If you’re already taking PrEP as a daily medication, then it’s recommended that you have a HIV test every three months as part of your treatment. This is because if you develop HIV you’ll need to stop taking PrEP and discuss your other treatment options with your clinician.