HIV Transmission Facts
There are four main bodily fluids that transmit the virus: blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Any activity that puts you and another person into contact with one of these four fluids increases the risk of HIV transmission. Tears, sweat, saliva, urine, and fecal matter DO NOT have the quantity of virus or temperature conditions necessary to transmit the virus. They may transmit other illnesses such as Hepatitis A, so please consult your doctor if you have concerns.
Specific behaviors increase the likelihood of coming into contact with the bodily fluids that transmit HIV. These are (in order from highest risk to lowest):
· Sharing used needles ("works", "cookers", etc)
· Getting tattoos using dirty needles or dirty ink
· Exposure to blood during a fight, accident, or medical emergency or procedure
· Sharing straws during drug use
· Unprotected receptive anal sex (being a bottom, "barebacking", "RUAS")
· Unprotected receptive vaginal sex ("boning", "barebacking", "riding dirty")
· Unprotected penetrative anal sex ("topping")
· Unprotected oral sex on a man with ejaculation
· Unprotected oral sex on a woman ("going down", "oral exam", "cunnilingus")
· Unprotected oral sex on a man without ejaculation ("fellecio"
· Having gotten blood transfusions in the United States prior to 1985 or a blood transfusion in another country that may not screen their blood
Completely stopping all drug or sexual activity (abstinence) are the only way to be 100% safe. However, there are safer sex and harm reducing behaviors that help decrease one's risk of passing on the virus:
- Using condoms during anal sex
- Using condoms during vaginal sex
- Using a condom or dental dam during oral sex
- Using only NEW needles if injecting a drug (call the Sonoma County Needle Exchange at 707-527-5227)
- Using only new straws if you snort drugs
- Insist that your tattoo artists use new ink pods and new needles
- Using clean (ideally sterilized) sex toys
- Avoid breast feeding if you are HIV positive or do not know your status
- If someone is HIV positive the sooner they get prenatal carethe more likely it is that they can have an HIV-negative baby. This is especially important for the mother-to-be also because being pregnant can tax an already compromised immune system
There is no shame in learning how to play safely.
The use of alcohol or drugs is a known and frequent factor in HIV transmission. When people are drunk or high they often engage in more risky sex acts that they would normally. If you have sexual relations, use a condom. And if you are doing drugs don't share works. If you would like help reducing the harm some drugs can do to your body and mind or if you would like help quitting altogether, please talk to your case manager.
If you work in the sex industry, take special care to protect yourself since sexual activity is more frequent and less likely to be with partners whose history you know. It is okay to say "No" or to stop a sexual act mid-stream in order to take precautions against HIV/STD transmission. Some people have feelings of guilt or shame associated with sex. While this is very personal and sometimes painful, it is not impossible to work through. Finding a place of comfort and peace with your own sexuality can help create healthier and more fulfilling relationships.
Prevention
Completely stopping all drug or sexual activity (abstinence) are the only way to be 100% safe. However, there are safer sex and harm reducing behaviors that help decrease one's risk of passing on the virus:
- Using condoms during anal sex
- Using condoms during vaginal sex
- Using a condom or dental dam during oral sex
- Using only NEW needles if injecting a drug (call the Sonoma County Needle Exchange at 707-527-5227)
- Using only new straws if you snort drugs
- Insist that your tattoo artists use new ink pods and new needles
- Using clean (ideally sterilized) sex toys
- Avoid breast feeding if you are HIV positive or do not know your status
- If someone is HIV positive the sooner they get prenatal carethe more likely it is that they can have an HIV-negative baby. This is especially important for the mother-to-be also because being pregnant can tax an already compromised immune system
If you'd like information or a clinical demonstration on any of the above, we will be happy to help, just ask your case manager. There is no shame in learning how to play safely.
The use of alcohol or drugs is a known and frequent factor in HIV transmission. When people are drunk or high they often engage in more risky sex acts that they would normally. If you have sexual relations, use a condom. And if you are doing drugs don't share works. If you would like help reducing the harm some drugs can do to your body and mind or if you would like help quitting altogether, please talk to your case manager.
If you work in the sex industry, take special care to protect yourself since sexual activity is more frequent and less likely to be with partners whose history you know. It is okay to say "No" or to stop a sexual act mid-stream in order to take precautions against HIV/STD transmission. Some people have feelings of guilt or shame associated with sex. While this is very personal and sometimes painful, it is not impossible to work through. Finding a place of comfort and peace with your own sexuality can help create healthier and more fulfilling relationships. Another factor in terms of self-care and transmission is simply getting basic needs met. Case managers can assist people with getting housing and financial needs met. When there is less worry about money and other basic necessities studies have shown that people are more likely to be more grounded and safer sexually.
You need to know… HIV Disclosure in California:
If you are HIV positive, you need to know that a California law (SB 705) makes it a felony, punishable by up to eight years in prison, to knowingly expose or infect an unaware person with HIV (If you've got a letter of diagnosis or have had a positive HIV test, you are assumed to know). It is considered a crime for individuals who know they are HIV-positive to engage in unprotected sex or known unsafe behavior without informing their partners of their status. The law also allows a person's HIV status to be disclosed if the person is the subject of a criminal investigation for committing this crime. There have also been cases of people with HIV + being held civilly liable (had to pay money) to people they infected in addition to jail time.
Disclosure can be difficult but we are here here to help. If disclosure is a problem for you, we are here to talk about what works best for you. Ask your case manager for confidential assistance. If you choose not to disclose your HIV status to people, remember that engaging in protected sex and safer drug use (no used needles "works" or used straws) will help protect you from these concerns and protects your partners and friends. As well, Sonoma County has an anonymous disclosure program. Someone who works for the county will contact your past and present partners to let them know that someone they have been with is HIV positive without telling them that it is you specifically you.
Outreach
Our Outreach Program is designed to connect with those most at risk of receiving HIV. This includes marginalized populations such as "at-risk" teenagers, immigrants, and those who use drugs or alcohol. Our program consists of community education and one-on-one street outreach.
Community Presentations
We give dozens of school presentations to local high schools and colleges continuing to give our youth the essential "HIV 101" course on modes of transmission, risk reduction, and how and when to get tested.
Face to Face also gives presentations to upper-level college classes on the bio-psycho-social aspects of living with HIV in human sexuality, health education, psychology, counseling and social science courses
As well, we also do bilingual presentations to ESL classes and day laborers in Sonoma County
To request a presentation email: cbowers@f2f.org