"Is there something that you are concerned about that is causing you to ask about being tested?"
Test: We recommend that if someone wants to determine if they have been infected with HIV, they should have an HIV antibody test (can be done orally by swabbing the cheek or thru a blood test. Both are equally accurate).
Window Period: Wait three months from when someone is last exposed to HIV to get a test that can be considered conclusive.
PREP is a prescription medication that must be taken on a specific schedule. When taken properly it is highly effective against infection with HIV. However, it does not protect people from other STI's (sexually transmitted infections), so it should be used along with condoms.
If someone has been exposed to HIV within the past 72 hours (3 days), and they are not already on PrEP, they should seek medical attention immediately to determine if PEP can be used to lower the risk of becoming infected with HIV. It is more effective the closer to infection that it is started, but it is not an option after 72 hours.
There are three things to remember about condoms:
1. Always use a new package of condoms, so check the expiration date on the wrapper (because condoms can expire or be exposed to wear and tear over time which can make them ineffective at preventing HIV).
2. Make sure the condom is made of latex (If someone is allergic to latex, they can use a a condom made of polyurethane instead).
3. Always use a water-based lubricant (because other types of lubricants can weaken and break latex condoms and make them ineffective at preventing HIV).
If you do these things, then you will substantially reduce the risk of transmitting HIV, but it won't eliminate the risk completely. But it will make it much safer than using no protection at all. For oral sex on a vagina, you may use a latex condom which has been cut open, if dental dams are unavailable.
Dental dams are a thin sheet of latex which are an effective barrier against HIV when used while performing oral sex on someone with a vagina.
More research has to be done to be conclusive about whether internal/female condoms are effective enough in preventing HIV infection in vaginal or anal sex. For this reason, we currently do not recommend their use over regular latex condoms.
Latex gloves are not an effective barrier against HIV infection.