How Can I Protect Myself?

• We cannot cure AIDS, but WE CAN PREVENT it. Taking simple steps to prevent getting or spreading HIV will pay off both for yourself and for your family.

  • A stands for "abstinence" (not having sex of any kind). Abstaining from sexual activities, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, is the safest way to avoid HIV and other diseases.
  • B is for "be faithful." Limits your number of sexual partners for the possibility of infection.
  • C is for condoms. Use condoms but not for nonoxynol-9 condoms for any sexual activity with a partner or with any partner who has HIV or other transmitted diseases.
  • Don't share needles and syringes used to inject drugs, steroids, vitamins, for tattooing, for body piercing, razors or toothbrushes because of the possibility of contact with blood.