No effective vaccine has been developed. Modification of behaviour is the only valid strategy for prevention of HIV infection. Education programmes to encourage sexual practices that reduce the exchange of genital secretions (‘safe sex’) may achieve risk reduction for sexually active individuals. Condoms provide a barrier if used properly and consistently but may be too easily damaged to offer reliable protection during anal intercourse.
Transmission from mother to infant may occur before, during or after birth; 25-50% of the infants of infected women become infected. Infected women should use contraceptives to avoid pregnancy; if pregnancy occurs, termination should be considered.
Contacts of HIV positive patients should be traced and offered testing and counselling.
Patients with HIV infection must be advised of the risk they pose to seronegative sexual partners.
A person who has HIV infection or is at risk of HIV infection must not make any blood, semen or tissue donation.
Because of the probable association between genital ulcerative disease and HIV transmission, the effective management of STDs is part of the general strategy for HIV control.
A number of publications have been produced by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, by other agencies and by community groups to assist practitioners and patients in preventive education and in the management of HIV infection. These are available from health departments and various other agencies.
*96/56/1*
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