Prevention of HIV infection

For HIV infection to be transmitted, body fluids containing the HIV virus must enter the bloodstream, so safer sex is based on avoiding potential epithelial damage and preventing body fluids from coming into contact with epithelial damage.

Ways to protect yourself

Condoms

Condoms (97-99%) are the best protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Your partner is on medication 

(U=U; undetectable = untransmittable; or TasP; treatment as prevention)

Among the people who are living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), the number of the virus is reduced to below the threshold level as a result of treatment. The person living with HIV is then not infected during unprotected sexual intercourse. The effectiveness of drug therapy is monitored by regular laboratory tests. To keep this level stable below the threshold, people living with HIV must take the medicine as prescribed.

The purpose of PrEP medication is to protect against HIV during risky sexual intercourse, i.e. to protect an HIV-negative person from a possible HIV infection.

The active ingredients in PrEP are emtricitabine and tenofovir, which work together to prevent HIV from replicating in the body's cells.

There are two ways of taking the medicine. If you take PrEP regularly, you take one tablet a day. This method is used for people who are frequently at risk of HIV infection. In occasional PrEP, the patient only takes the medicine for a few days before engaging in risky sexual activity. Two tablets should be taken the day before the sexual act, but no later than two hours. Thereafter, one tablet a day should be taken until the second day after the last sexual act. Regular medical check-ups and HIV screening are essential during both PreP-taking practices.

For more information on PrEP, see our Questions and Answers on PrEP, or follow the ‘Háttér Society’ Facebook page for regular events on PrEP.

PEP: Post-exposure prophylaxis

PEP is a medication available in Hungary only to healthcare workers, and is only used if it is suspected that they have been exposed to HIV-infected blood in any way in the course of their work.

After the primary care of an HIV-infected blood-contaminated injury, a specialist should assess the extent of exposure (exposure of the body to an adverse external agent), the condition of the person living with HIV, their treatment and, if deemed appropriate, recommend the use of PEP.

The medication should be taken as soon as possible, the first 24 hours may be crucial, but no later than 72 hours after any accident, and then continuously for 6 weeks.

If PEP were available to everyone in Hungary, it would be suitable for emergency prevention (for example, in the case of rape or a broken condom).

Useful practical tips for safer sex

• Use a condom for penetration, wear rubber gloves if fingering or fisting.
• Never let them cum directly in your mouth, eyes, anus or vagina.
• Always apply an appropriate amount of water or silicone-based lubricant to the condom or rubber glove. Do not use oil-based lubricants as they can damage the condom material.
• Do not brush or floss 2-2 hours before or after oral sex (sucking, licking); use mouthwash or mints instead. Brushing and flossing can cause tiny lesions on the skin through which germs can enter your body more easily.
• In case of mouth sores, bleeding gums or bad teeth, use a gum or dental dam for oral sex.
• Shave the intimate parts at least 6 hours before sexual intercourse, as razors and clippers can cause skin damage and depilatories can cause hair removal and thus epithelial damage.
• When cleansing and enema, the water jet should not be too hot or too strong, as it may cause skin damage.
• Keep your nails well-groomed to avoid touching your partner's skin. Cut your skin at least a day before sexual intercourse, as this can also easily cause injury.
• Scratching and biting, scratching your teeth, chafing the skin (for example, after being tied up or kneeling or elbowing on the floor) can also cause skin damage.