You have a role to play in prevention.
Preventing HIV is both an individual and a community effort. There are highly effective steps all of us can take to prevent new HIV infections, regardless of our status.
Are there situations that put me at higher risk?
There are some situations where you might have a greater chance of being exposed to HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For example, your risk of exposure and infection will be higher if you are not taking one of the new preventative medications and:
- have another STI
- have multiple sexual partners
- have started a new sexual partnership
- have sex or use drugs while travelling (especially in places with high rates of HIV)
use drugs or alcohol to enhance sex - deal with blood or other bodily fluids as part of your job
- get a tattoo, acupuncture, body piercing or hair removal (electrolysis) in a setting where safety standards may be in question
You can reduce these risks by using the effective prevention methods described under “What are effective ways to prevent HIV transmission?”
What are effective ways I can prevent HIV transmission?
People living with HIV can take treatment as prescribed, which can reduce the amount of virus in the blood. In Ontario, 98% of people living with HIV who are on treatment have very low amounts of virus. In people like this, the virus is considered suppressed or untransmittable, meaning it can’t be passed on to other people sexually.
If you’re at high risk of being exposed to HIV through sex or drug use, you should talk to a healthcare provider about going on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – a pill a day, or a long-acting injection that is 99% protective against HIV through sex.
If you have had a recent high-risk sexual exposure to HIV, you can take HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after exposure. You can get help to access PEP at sexual health clinics, hospital emergency rooms, and your healthcare provider.
If you inject drugs, do not share equipment with other users, and use new equipment every time. This includes needles, syringes, spoons and cookers, stems – even push sticks. Harm reduction programs across the province can provide new and sterile equipment for free.
And remember, condoms work. They help prevent HIV and many other sexually transmitted infections.
What is the difference between PrEP and PEP?
If you don’t have HIV, medications are available to protect you from getting the virus. These include pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PEP).
PrEP involves taking oral or injectable antiretroviral medications on an ongoing basis to prevent an HIV infection. This requires a regular follow-up with a healthcare provider. PrEP is covered by most insurance plans, including Trillium and public insurance such as ODSP. You can also get up to three months of the medication free through PrEPStart.
PEP involves starting oral antiretroviral medications as soon as possible (within 72 hours) after a high-risk exposure and continuing for 28 days to prevent an HIV infection.
You can talk to your healthcare provider to find out more about PrEP or PEP.