How can I prevent human immunodeficiency virus?
To prevent infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) you should:
- using a condom, male or female, during sexual intercourse
- Do not share objects that may have been in contact with blood, such as needles and syringes (as well as all the material involved in the preparation of the injection), razors, toothbrushes
Can I prevent the virus from being passed on to the baby during pregnancy?
Yes. Transmission of the infection from an HIV-positive mother to her baby can be prevented if appropriate therapy is given during pregnancy and breastfeeding is avoided after the baby is born.
What precautions should I take when using condoms?
Condoms, both male and female, when used correctly and consistently, are highly effective in preventing sexual transmission of HIV. It is recommended that, in anal sex, the condom be used with water-based lubricating gel, as the anus does not have natural lubrication, which causes damage to the mucosa, increasing the risk of transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
How can I get free access to condoms?
In Portugal, the National Programme for HIV/AIDS Infection provides female and male condoms and lubricating gel for free distribution to the most vulnerable populations at risk of infection, through non-governmental organisations, schools, universities, festive contexts, gay saunas, nightlife venues, commercial sex practices and drug consumption.
Condoms are also available, free of charge, in sexual and reproductive health consultations, primary health care and follow-up hospital consultations for people living with the infection.
What is the Syringe Exchange Program?
The Syringe Exchange Program has as its main objective the prevention of the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among injecting drug users, aiming at the distribution of sterile material and the collection and destruction of the material used.
The kit consists of a sterile syringe, a disinfectant wipe, a condom, two containers, an ampoule of bidistilled water, a filter, two citric acid packs and a package leaflet.
The Syringe Exchange Program is offered free of charge in primary health care, non-governmental organizations, pharmacies, harm reduction and harm minimization teams and through a mobile unit.
What is pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)?
PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis to a microorganism. Prophylaxis means prevention of infection, in this case HIV. The term pre-exposure indicates that prevention is done before a risky behavior occurs.
PrEP is currently available in pill form. It is used by people who are not infected with HIV and to reduce the risk of infection.
For people at increased risk of acquiring the infection, such as between partners where one has the virus and the other does not, and in injecting drug users, PrEP is effective using a combination of two substances: tenofovir DF and emtricitabine.
PrEP only protects people from HIV infection and does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, so the correct use of female or male condoms remains a robust prevention measure and therefore cannot be neglected.
PrEP is currently available in Portugal in hospitals that are part of the hospital referral network for HIV infection, and its prescription is carried out by specialist doctors, after assessing the risk of acquiring HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections, with the informed consent of the person.
PrEP involves taking specific HIV medicines and, as with other antiretrovirals, can cause side effects including nausea, tiredness, gastrointestinal symptoms and headache. There are also some concerns regarding kidney function and bone mineral density.
What is post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)?
PEP consists of taking antiretroviral drugs for 28 days in a row and should be started within hours of risk exposure (between 24 hours and 48 hours). It aims to prevent infection by taking antiretroviral medication.
Who is it for?
Post-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection applies to people who are at risk of contracting HIV in an occupational context (in a professional context, such as a health context such as doctors, nurses, operational assistants or other health technicians) and non-occupational (sexual or parenteral intercourse).
PEP is an emergency measure to prevent HIV infection after possible exposure to the virus.
To access PEP, you must go to the emergency department of a hospital that is part of the HIV referral network. A doctor will assess the possible risk of infection and the relevance or need to prescribe PEP.
Source: Directorate-General for Health (DGS)