The Facts  

When it comes to HIV, there are a lot of myths on the street. Knowing the truth about HIV transmission and prevention can help you make effective decisions to protect both yourself and your partner(s). Below is information about HIV transmission, prevention, and testing, as well as frequently asked questions.

How is HIV Transmitted?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus that causes AIDS, can be passed from an infected person to another person through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. HIV-infected fluids must get into the bloodstream in order for the person to become infected (seroconvert).

There is a high to moderate risk for transmitting HIV by:

  1. Having unprotected vaginal or anal sex with someone who is infected with HIV.
  2. Sharing needles with someone who is infected with HIV. This could include injecting drugs, steroids or vitamins, tattooing equipment, and piercing needles.
  3. Having unprotected oral sex with someone who is infected with HIV.
  4. Breast-feeding by a mother infected with HIV.

How Can I Reduce My Risk for Becoming Infected?
During vaginal and/or anal intercourse use one of the following:

  • A latex condom with water-based lubricant.
  • A polyurethane condom with water-based or oil-based lubricant.
  • A Reality Condom (also known as a female condom commonly used for vaginal or anal use) with lubricant.

When using needles:

  • Use clean, new needles and equipment for each use.
  • Never Share needles or injecting equipment with others.
  • Contact "The Works" program at 303.413.7500 for access to resources and clean needles.

During oral-vaginal, oral-penile and/or oral-anal sex use one of the following:

  • A latex barrier ("dam").
  • A latex or polyurethane condom (assorted flavors available at BCAP).
  • A condom cut lengthwise and spread out.

During and after pregnancy:

  • Access prenatal care, including HIV testing.
  • Start taking HIV treatment during pregnancy to decrease the amount of virus in the blood (HIV will not, however, cross the placenta through the umbilical cord. This cord acts as a “filter”, not allowing the mother’s blood to mix with the child’s).
  • Talk with professional care providers about the possibility of a c-section of a vaginal birth.
  • Use formula instead of breastfeeding.

How to Use a Condom
During vaginal and/or anal intercourse use one of the following:

  1. Store condoms in a cool, dry place.
  2. Use a condom only if the package is undamaged and if there is an air pocket in the sealed package, and it has not passed the expiration date.
  3. Use a new condom with each sexual act.
  4. Carefully open the condom to avoid damaging it with fingernails or teeth.
  5. Put the condom on the end of the erect penis, leaving space at the tip. Gently press the air out of the condom tip, as air bubbles can cause condoms to break. If uncircumcised, pull foreskin of penis back.
  6. Apply lubrication to condom-covered penis. Latex condoms should only be used with water-based lubricant and polyurethane condoms can be used with either water or oil-based lubricants. Also apply lubricant to the vagina or anus, following the same water-based specifications for the type of condom being used.
  7. After ejaculation, hold the condom at the base of the penis and carefully remove the condom so as not to spill body fluids.
  8. Dispose of the used condom (not in the toilet).
*Remember to use a new condom each time you want to switch from anal to vaginal sex, and vice versa. A new condom should be put on if another sex session is desired post-ejaculation.

Where to get condoms:
BCAP, Boulder County Public Health, Planned Parenthood clinics, and Women’s Health in Boulder all offer condoms for free (some may ask for a donation for Reality Condoms). Area pharmacies, grocery stores, and Fascinations all sell male condoms (prices vary).

How to Use a Latex Barrier
The use of a latex barrier (dam, latex square or plastic wrap*) during oral-anal and oral-vaginal sex can reduce your risk of contracting HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

  1. Apply water-based lubricant on one side of the barrier. This side will be put against the skin of the receptive partner.
  2. Put the lubricated side of the barrier up to your partner's vagina or anus.
  3. When finished with the oral sex, dispose of the latex barrier (not in the toilet).
*Remember to use a new barrier for each act of oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex or if you decide to switch between areas. Also, do not share barriers between partners, but instead use a new barrier for each person.

Where to get latex barriers:
BCAP, Planned Parenthood (3 for $6.00), and Fascinations.
*Plastic food wrap may not provide a completely safe barrier, but is preferable to no barrier at all.