How can I protect myself and my partner(s)?
There is no vaccine for HIV, but there are things you can do to avoid getting or passing HIV.
1
Get routine STI testing.
Get tested before you have sex with a new partner, whenever you or your partner(s) have an STI symptom or yearly if you haven’t had an STI test in the last 12 months.
2
Use condoms or other barrier devices.
Use condoms every time you have vaginal or anal sex, and a condom or other barrier device every time you have oral sex.
3
Talk with your partner(s).
Talk with you partner(s) about your STI status, the types of sex you want to have, and how you can protect one another.
4
Consider Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Talk with your doctor about PrEP if you are at high risk of being exposed to HIV.
PrEP
PrEP is an HIV prevention option for people at risk of exposure to HIV through sexual activity or needle sharing. PrEP isn't a vaccine and doesn’t provide immunity to HIV. When the PrEP medication is in your system, it can stop HIV from infecting and spreading through your body. PrEP doesn’t protect you from other STIs, so it’s still important to use a condom every time you have sex to protect yourself and your partner(s).
People taking PrEP need to remember to take the medication as prescribed and follow up with their health care provider every 3 months. Some people taking PrEP experience side effects including nausea, bone and kidney function changes. Depending on how you are being exposed to the virus, PrEP can take up to a few weeks to become effective in preventing HIV transmission.
Getting Started on PrEP
PrEP is available through some family doctors, nurse practitioners & pharmacists. Call ahead to find out if this service is available from your regular care provider.
If PrEP isn’t available from your health care provider, you can get a prescription at many sexual health clinics across Saskatchewan.