No HIV Vaccine Yet—But There Are Many Ways to Prevent HIV
HIV affects people from many cultures and communities in Australia. Some people who were born overseas may find it difficult to access health information and services because of language and cultural barriers, cost, or unfamiliarity with Australia’s health system.
There is currently no vaccine for HIV. However, there are several highly effective ways to prevent HIV. You can choose the method—or combination of methods—that works best for you. HIV can be passed on through certain body fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids and anal fluids. It can be prevented in the following ways.
Use condoms
Condoms help prevent HIV and many other sexually transmissible infections (STIs). They can also prevent pregnancy.
Condoms come in different sizes. Make sure you know what size fits you. Check the expiry date and make sure the packet is not damaged before use. Store condoms in a cool, dry place.
Use a new condom every time you have sex. Do not use two condoms at the same time because friction may cause them to break. Use a water-based lubricant with condoms.
You can buy condoms from pharmacies, supermarkets and online. You can also order free condoms from https://eccq.com.au/health/love-health/ or https://www.qc.org.au/wrapped-n-ready
Take PrEP before possible exposure to HIV
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is medicine taken by an HIV-negative person before possible exposure to HIV. When taken correctly, PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV.
PrEP does not prevent other STIs or pregnancy.
PrEP can be taken daily or, for some people, only around the time they have sex (on-demand PrEP). On-demand PrEP is not suitable for everyone. A doctor or authorised nurse practitioner can help you choose the safest option.
Some people have mild side effects when they start PrEP, such as nausea or headaches. Kidney problems are rare, and regular health checks help make sure PrEP remains safe for you.
Learn more at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/Pre-exposure-prophylaxis-PrEP
Take PEP after possible exposure to HIV
Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is medicine that may prevent HIV after a possible exposure. You may need PEP if, for example:
• a condom broke or was not used during sex
• you shared injecting equipment
• you experienced sexual assault
• you had contact with blood that may contain HIV. PEP must be started within 72 hours of the possible exposure. The sooner you start, the better. PEP must be taken for 28 days.
You can ask for PEP at a sexual health clinic, a hospital emergency department, a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic or from a specially trained family doctor (a list can be found at https://ashm.org.au/prescriber-programs/find-a-prescriber/find-a-hiv-prep-prescriber/ ). Visit www.getpep.info to find a PEP service near you, or call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
PEP does not prevent other STIs or pregnancy. Some people experience temporary side effects such as nausea, headache, diarrhoea or vomiting.
HIV treatment prevents sexual transmission: U=U
HIV treatment is highly effective. A person living with HIV who takes their treatment as prescribed can reduce the amount of HIV in their blood to a level called “undetectable”, meaning that current tests cannot detect HIV in their blood.
When a person maintains an undetectable viral load, they cannot pass HIV to another person through sex. This is called Undetectable = Untransmittable, or U=U.
U=U protects sexual partners and helps people living with HIV stay healthy. Regular viral-load tests are important.
Use sterile injecting equipment
HIV can be passed on by sharing needles, syringes or other injecting equipment. Always use new, sterile equipment and do not share it with another person.
Needle and syringe programs (NSPs) provide sterile equipment, information and confidential support.
If you travel overseas for medical or dental treatment or cosmetic procedures, make sure that sterile medical equipment is used to prevent HIV transmission as some countries may not have the same strict infection-control and blood safety measures.
If you need an interpreter, you can ask the health service to arrange one for you.
Stay safe and protect yourself from HIV!
Our bilingual community health workers can provide information and support in your language.
For more information, contact:
Email: [email protected]
Information in different languages is available at:
www.eccq.com.au/bbv
