World AIDS Day 2024 – The Secret Corner

World AIDS Day 2024: World AIDS Day is crucial in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, a disease that continues to affect millions of people around the world.

World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 each year to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, show support for people living with HIV, and commemorate those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

It is a global initiative that encourages individuals, communities and governments to take action to combat HIV/AIDS.

and learn about ways to reduce HIV-related stigma.

Sex toys and HIV

Since HIV cannot survive outside the body for very long, the chance of transmitting HIV through a sex toy that was used just a few days ago is slim. Use sex toys with new, clean condoms for each partner and make sure the HIV-negative partner cleans toys properly before use (toy cleaner); they pose negligible risk of transmission. But using the same condom with both partners is actually the same as not using a condom at all.

It’s also safer to use sex toys made from non-porous materials, such as body-safe silicone, ABS plastic, glass, stainless steel, or stone. (Porous sex toys are made of materials such as jelly, PVC, or rubber.) Sex toys should be cleaned (i.e., disinfected) after each use to prevent not only the spread of HIV and STIs, but also bacterial and fungal infections and other complications.

Learn about PrEP

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. This is a drug that can help prevent HIV. Using PrEP can reduce the chance of getting HIV through sex by up to 99%.

Who can use PrEP

Anyone who is sexually active and not infected with HIV can use PrEP. To find out if PrEP is right for you, talk to your nurse or doctor. You may choose to use PrEP if you:

• Have anus or vaginal intercourse Within the past 6 months and:

  • Have a sexual partner infected with HIV

  • Not using condoms regularly

  • Have been diagnosed with another STD within the past 6 months.

• Sharing needles, syringes or other equipment used to inject drugs within the past 6 months.

• PEP has been used many times.

If you are at higher risk for HIV and you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, PrEP can also help you and your baby avoid getting HIV.

PrEP is different from PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). PEP is a short-term treatment for people who have been exposed to HIV within the past 72 hours. PrEP is usually a continuous daily medication or an injection every two months for people who may be exposed to HIV in the future.

PeEP can be used in 3 different ways and can be obtained at your local clinic or healthcare provider.

You can use PrEP to help prevent HIV in 3 ways:

• Take the pill by mouth daily.
• Taken every two months (every other month):
  • Initially, you will receive 2 injections, 1 month apart. Your nurse or doctor will then give you the vaccine every 2 months.
• “On-demand” PrEP:
  • You may only take oral PrEP (also called “event-driven” or “non-daily” PrEP) when you are at risk for HIV infection. Talk to your nurse or doctor to see if this is right for you.
  • This means taking 2 PrEP pills 2-24 hours before having sex, 1 pill 24 hours after the first dose, and 1 pill 24 hours after the second dose. Also known as 2-1-1

infected with HIV

Know you are not alone. Many people around the world are infected with HIV.

Learn how to share your condition and make sure you get treatment, live a healthy life, and have healthy relationships.