Unless you are absolutely certain that you and the people you are with do not have HIV infection, you should take steps to prevent getting infected. This fact sheet provides an overview of HIV prevention, and refers you to other fact sheets for more details on specific topics. You also won't get infected if your penis, mouth, vagina or rectum don't touch anyone else's penis, mouth, vagina, or rectum. If there are no open sores or blood in the mouth, oral sex has a lower risk of infection than anal or vaginal sex. You can reduce the risk of infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases by using barriers like condoms.
Traditional condoms go on the penis, and a new type of condom goes in the vagina or in the rectum.
For more information on condoms, see Fact Sheet 152 . They might even increase your risk of getting infected if they cause irritation or swelling. For more information on safer sex, see Fact Sheet 151 . The best way to avoid infection is to not use drugs. If you use drugs, you can prevent infection by not injecting them.