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Prevention
- Because there is no effective vaccine and no
cure for HIV, the only way to protect oneself is prevention.
- People should either abstain from having sex
or use latex condoms, during oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Only condoms made of latex should be used, and whenever necessary
only water-based lubricants should be used. People who are
allergic to latex can use polyurethane condoms.
- Although some laboratory evidence shows that
spermicides can kill HIV, there is no conclusive evidence
if it can prevent transmission.
- The risk of HIV transmission from a pregnant
woman to her baby is significantly reduced if she takes AZT
during pregnancy, labour and delivery, and her baby takes
it for the first six weeks of life. Nevirapine is also found
to be useful. But, one should seek expert medical assistance
in such situations.
- Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
can increase manifold a person's chances of getting HIV through
sexual contact. So, it is necessary to treat STDs as soon as
you suspect infection.
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