What actions put me at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS and STDs?
- Engaging in unprotected (without condom or dental dam) oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
- Sharing unclean drug paraphernalia like syringes and cookers, or sharing unclean needles used for tattoos and body piercing with a person who is HIV positive or unaware of their HIV status.
- The use of drugs and/or alcohol can also put you at risk by making it harder for you to practice safe behavior.
- Assuming your partner is clean based on appearance:
- STDs – Some sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted by an infected person even if they don’t have any symptoms. According to the CDC estimates suggest that even though young people aged 15-24 years represent only 25% of the sexually experienced population, they acquire nearly half of all new STDs.
- HIV/AIDS – People who appear perfectly healthy may not know they have the virus and can pass it on to others. 1 out of 4 Americans with HIV do not know they have the virus. HIV is often asymptomatic for years, so the only way to know your status is to get tested.
