{"meta":{"status":200,"messages":[],"pagination":{"max":1,"offset":0,"count":1,"total":1,"pageNum":1,"totalPages":1,"sort":null,"currentUrl":"https://api.digitalmedia.hhs.gov/api/v2/resources/media.json?offset=0&max=1&ignoreHiddenMedia=1&format=json&id=11409&newUrlBase=http://www.cdc.gov/actagainstaids/campaigns/oneconversation","nextUrl":null,"previousUrl":null}},"results":[{"content":"
\n\n
Today, more tools than ever are available to prevent HIV. In addition to limiting your number of sexual partners, never sharing needles, and using condoms correctly and consistently, you may be able to take advantage of newer options such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis.
\n \nUse condoms the right way every time you have sex, take medicines to prevent or treat HIV if appropriate, choose less risky sexual behaviors, get tested for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and limit your number of sex partners. The more of these actions you take, the safer you can be.
\nSpecifically, you can:
\nReceptive anal sex is the riskiest type of sex for getting HIV. It\u2019s possible for either partner\u2014the partner inserting the penis in the anus (the top) or the partner receiving the penis (the bottom)\u2014to get HIV, but it is much riskier for an HIV-negative partner to be the receptive partner. That\u2019s because the lining of the rectum is thin and may allow HIV to enter the body during anal sex.
\nVaginal sex also carries a risk for getting HIV, though it is less risky than receptive anal sex. Most women who get HIV get it from vaginal sex, but men can also get HIV from vaginal sex.
\nIn general, there is little to no risk of getting or transmitting HIV from oral sex. Theoretically, transmission of HIV is possible if an HIV-positive man ejaculates in his partner\u2019s mouth during oral sex. However, the risk is still very low, and much lower than with anal or vaginal sex. Factors that may increase the risk of transmitting HIV through oral sex are oral ulcers, bleeding gums, genital sores, and the presence of other STDs, which may or may not be visible. See How can I prevent getting HIV from oral sex?
\nSexual activities that don\u2019t involve contact with body fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, or blood) carry no risk of HIV transmission but may pose a risk for other STDs.
\nLearn more about how to protect yourself, and get information tailored to meet your needs from CDC\u2019s HIV Risk Reduction Tool (BETA).
\nStopping injection and other drug use can lower your chances of getting or transmitting HIV a lot. If you keep injecting drugs, use only sterile needles and works. Never share needles or works.
\nYou are at very high risk for getting HIV if you use a needle or works after someone with HIV has used them. Also, when people are high, they\u2019re more likely to have risky sex, which increases the chance of getting or transmitting HIV.
\nThe best way to reduce your risk of HIV is to stop using drugs. You may need help to stop or cut down using drugs, but many resources are available. Talk with a counselor, doctor, or other health care provider about substance abuse treatment. To find a treatment center near you, check out the locator tools on SAMHSA.gov or AIDS.gov, or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
\nIf you keep injecting drugs, here are some things you can do to lower your risk for getting HIV and other infections:
\nLearn more about how to protect yourself, and get information tailored to meet your needs from CDC\u2019s HIV Risk Reduction Tool (BETA).
\nIf you have HIV, the most important thing you can do is to take medicines to treat HIV infection (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) the right way, every day.
\nIf you\u2019re pregnant, talk to your health care provider about getting tested for HIV and other ways to keep you and your child from getting HIV. Women in their third trimester should be tested again if they engage in behaviors that put them at risk for HIV.
\nIf you are HIV-negative but you have an HIV-positive partner and are considering getting pregnant, talk to your doctor about taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to help keep you from getting HIV. Encourage your partner to take medicines to treat HIV (ART), which greatly reduces the chance that he will transmit HIV to you.
\nIf you have HIV, take medicines to treat HIV (ART) the right way, every day. If you are treated for HIV early in your pregnancy, your risk of transmitting HIV to your baby can be 1% or less. After delivery, you can prevent transmitting HIV to your baby by avoiding breastfeeding, since breast milk contains HIV.
\nFor more information, see CDC\u2019s HIV Among Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children.
\nLearn more about how to protect yourself, and get information tailored to meet your needs from CDC\u2019s HIV Risk Reduction Tool (BETA).
\nLearn more detailed information about HIV prevention options.
\nThere are different ways to answer this question.
\nIf we look at HIV infection by race and ethnicity, we see that African Americans are most affected by HIV. In 2012, African Americans had the largest percentage (47%) of the estimated 47,989 diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States. In 2010, African Americans made up only 12% of the US population, but had 44% of all new HIV infections. Additionally, Hispanic/Latinos are also strongly affected. They make up 17% of the US population, but had 23% of all new HIV diagnoses.
\nIf we look at HIV infections by how people got the virus (transmission category), we see that gay and bisexual men are most at risk. In 2010, gay and bisexual men had 63% of all new HIV infections, even though they made up only around 2% of the population. Of all new HIV infections in 2010, 25% were infected through heterosexual sex, 8% were infected from injection drug use, and 3% were gay and bisexual men who also injected drugs.
\nThere are also variations by age. Young people, aged 13-24 are especially affected by HIV. They comprised 16% of the U.S. population, but accounted for 26% of all new HIV infections in 2010. All young people are not equally at risk, however. Young gay and bisexual men, for example, accounted for 72% of all new infections in people aged 13-24, and young, African American gay and bisexual men are even more severely affected.
\nCDC\u2019s fact sheets explain the impact of HIV on various populations in the United States.
\n\n Top of Page
\n