Desert AIDS Project
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Preventing HIV

Protect Yourself

Young Latino MaleEvery nine-and-a-half minutes, someone in the U.S. contracts HIV. That's 152 more people each day -- more than 55,000 new men, women, and children added each year to the 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. But those numbers only begin to tell the story because it's estimated that one in five people who are HIV-positive don't know it.

That's why it's more important than ever to protect yourself, your life, and your loved ones.

Know the risks.

Make sure you know the risks associated with certain acts and be knowledgeable about how to lower your risk of exposure to HIV.

Assumptions help no one.

HIV doesn't discriminate. It affects all kinds of people from all walks of life. Assuming a partner doesn't have HIV because they don't look sick may put you at risk.

Be proactive about your sex life.

Talk to your partner about safer sex. Get tested regularly. Be prepared by carrying your own condoms and protection.