Sex and prevention concerns
for positive people

September 2002     View PDF     En español

Preventing your risk of infections

People living with HIV must consider taking precautions to avoid exposing themselves to common infections, which are possibly deadly in people with a weakened immune system. Although safer sex is usually thought of in regards to preventing HIV infection, exposure to many major infections and STDs can be reduced if safer sex is followed. Avoiding oral-anal contact can greatly reduce the risk of getting parasites that can cause diarrhea and other symptoms. (Examples of parasites include tape worms, scabies and more common among people with HIV are toxoplasma and cryptosporidium.)

Safer sex is not the only way to prevent exposure to infections, however. There are a number of things you can do to decrease your risk of potentially harmful infections.

In general, people with HIV should not eat raw or undercooked meats, poultry or seafood. Avoid unpasteurized dairy products, which may contain parasites, bacteria or viruses that in turn can cause severe illness. For example, eating raw shellfish can result in hepatitis A infection. Risks can be reduced further by following guidelines for “safer” food preparation. For more information, read Food Safety.