How can HIV/Aids be prevented?

Here's how to protect yourself from getting HIV:

- Reduce the number of sexual partners.
- Always practice safer sex.
- Use condoms from start to finish during anal or vaginal sex. Male latex condoms as well as female condoms provide protection against infection.
- Always use male condoms when performing oral sex on a man.
- For oral sex on a woman, cover the vaginal area with plastic wrap (cling wrap), a condom cut open or dental dams.
- Never use oil-based lubricants with male condoms.
- Engage in non-penetrative sex practices such as kissing, massaging, hugging, touching, body rubbing and masturbation.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs, which can impair judgement and motivation to practice safer sex.
- Do not share needles/syringes when using intravenous drugs - preferably don't use recreational or illegal drugs at all!
- Make sure all medical and surgical instruments, including those used for tattooing, body piercing or circumcision, are completely sterilised before re-use or are safely discarded.
- Be tested regularly and get treatment for other STIs (women and men with open sores from herpes, syphilis or chancroid are more susceptible to HIV than other people).