HIV is a problem in the United States and worldwide.  It may occur in men, women, and children regardless of their socioeconomic status, age, sexual orientation, religion, or race.  HIV infections occur if HIV infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions enter your body.  There is a greater risk of this occurring during specific situations including:

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_____ You have an increased risk of contracting HIV if you have unprotected sex with multiple partners.  Unprotected sex means that you did not use a condom correctly and consistently.

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_____ Your risk is increased if you had unprotected sex with a person that has HIV.  Some people may not know that they have HIV because they may not have symptoms and may not have been tested, but they may spread the virus to others.

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_____ Your risk is increased if you do not know the HIV status of your partner.  Couples considering sexual relations should be tested for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases before beginning sexual activity.

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_____ If you have a sexually transmitted disease, such as syphilis, herpes, Chlamydia, genital warts, or gonorrhea, you have an increased risk of contracting HIV.

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_____ Participating in high-risk sexual activity, such as anal sex, increases the risk for HIV.

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_____ If you share needles with other people during IV drug use, you have an increased risk for HIV.

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_____ People that received blood products before 1985 have a risk of HIV.  After 1985, donated blood products in the United States are screened for HIV.

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_____ Healthcare workers that routinely handle used needles have a risk of contaminating themselves during an accidental needle stick on the job, but this is a rare occurrence.

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_____ Newborns of mothers with HIV are at high risk.  A pregnant mother with HIV may transmit the virus to her developing baby during pregnancy.  A mother with HIV may transmit HIV to her baby through breast milk during breastfeeding.  Mothers with HIV may receive treatment during pregnancy to reduce the risk of spreading HIV to their developing babies.

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_____ You are at risk for HIV if you have been raped.  People that have been raped should be offered a course of anti-viral drugs and receive testing for HIV.