KNIGHTMODE ARTICLE | Preventing HIV Transmission

There are a number of effective tools available to help prevent HIV infection.

These include

• condom use
• male circumcision
• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis - the use of antiretroviral (ARV) medication in HIV-negative people at high risk for HIV) and
• PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis - which involves taking ARV medication as soon as possible after exposure to HIV).

For people who inject drugs, syringe exchange programs and substance abuse treatment are important elements of HIV prevention.

Furthermore, the appropriate use of ARV medications by people who are HIV positive can lower viral load and reduce HIV transmission to their HIV negative partners by 96 percent!