Are you at risk?

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

AIDS is the stage of HIV disease when the immune system becomes very weak. When this happens, the person with HIV can become ill with other diseases and infections.

HIV can be passed from one person to another:

• in blood, semen, or vaginal fluids when having sex without a condom
• in blood when sharing needles or syringes
• from mother to baby before it's born, during birth, or by breastfeeding

HIV can be prevented. You will be safer if you:

• use a latex condom, with water-based lubricant, for all types of sex
• don't share needles
• thoroughly clean your needles before using them
• dispose of your needles safely, in a plastic, puncture-proof container, like an
  old Clorox bottle

How to put on a condom:

• Gently squeeze the tip of the condom with one hand, making sure there is no air in the tip
• While you continue to squeeze the tip of the condom, forcing out any air, begin to unroll the condom down the length of the erect penis
• Carefully unroll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis (to the pubic hair)

How to clean your works (needle and syringe):

• Fill your syringe with water, shake it, and push out the water. Do it three times
• Fill your syringe with bleach, shake it, and push out the water. Do it three times
• Fill your syringe again with clean water, shake it, and push out the water. Do it three times

Check out these locations for free condoms, and for needle exchange programs.

To further build your prevention skills, make sure you check out our section on HIV Health.