j----_. - New York Civil Liberties Union

Mahopac 161
HANDOUT 8.4
How Is HIV Transmission
Prevented?
Directions: The information below will be discussed in class. For your own use, assess
how well you are protecting yourself from HIV infection.
Effectiveness
of Methods for Protection from Pregnancy and/or HIV
Protects for Protects for Protects for Doesn't Protect
Method Pregnancy & HIV Pregnancy Only ~IV Only for Either
Withdrawal
Douching
Hoping
Rhythm
Birth Control Pill
Abstinence
Latex Condom
& Foam
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Contraceptive
Foam
Contraceptive
Sponge
Dental Dams
X
(Fair)
X
(Fair)
X
(Oral sex)
". /' "
)
\" '.~.~."'
Protect Yourself
1. Abstinence (not having sex) is the best way to prevent sexual transmission of H/V.
It you do have sex:
• You can engage in sex that does not put you in contact with someone else's blood,
semen or vaginal fluids.
• Use a new latex condom and a water-based lubricant every time you have sex.
• Use nonoxynol-9 with condoms. This may provide extra protection against H/V.
2. Abstain from a/coho/ and other drugs, since they affect your judgment and using them
may lead to unsafe sex or injection drug use.
. It you do inject drugs:
• Never share needles or works.
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