This project is sponsored by the AIDS Trust Fund.

Prevention

The major routes of HIV transmission are sexual intercourse, sharing needles, syringes and other injection equipment and mother-child transmission. Precautions shall be taken to prevent HIV infection through these measures:

Prevent HIV from sexual intercourse:

Use condoms correctly and consistently every time when you have sex of any kind. The use of water-based lubricants reduces the risk of condom tears.
Do not have sex of any kind if condoms are not available.
Know your HIV status and ask your partner to get tested before you have sex.
Avoid direct contact with vaginal fluid, semen, and blood during sexual intercourse
Unprotected sex is safe only if both partners are HIV negative and monogamous (sexually active only with each other). Proper and consistent use of condoms is useful to prevent sexually-transmitted diseases among monogamous partners.
Get treated if you or your partner have sexually transmitted disease.

Prevent HIV from needle sharing and needle injury:

Do not use drugs. If you do, do not inject.
If you are injected drug user, always use clean needles and injection equipment. Do not share your used needles to others.
Do not share tattoo and acupuncture needles.
HIV test is available in methadone treatment centres in Hong Kong.
Dispose used needles and syringes in a rigid, puncture-resistant container such as a biscuit can. When two-third of the container is filled with used sharps, close the lid tightly, seal it with tapes, and label the container as sharps before disposing them with other household waste.
If you are accidentally struck by another person’s used needle or other sharp, wash the exposed area with soap or alcohol-based handrub, and then seek medical attention immediately.

Prevent HIV from contacting body fluids:

Do not share toothbrush and razor blades.
Do not expose injured skin. Apply dressing material on injured skin after proper cleansing.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as disposable gloves when in contact with body fluids. Perform hand hygiene properly afterwards.
Wash hands immediately and thoroughly after contact with blood or body fluids.

Prevent passing HIV to baby:

Test for HIV status when you plan for a pregnancy or as soon as you find out you are pregnant.
Antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy, labor and delivery greatly reduces the risk of HIV transmission to infant.
Breastfeeding is strongly discouraged to mothers who are HIV positive.
Treatment is available to protect newborn babies from HIV infection.