A member of my family or close friend of mine has HIV; am I also at risk?

Although HIV has been transmitted between family members in a household setting, this type of transmission is very rare.

These transmissions are believed to have resulted from contact between skin or mucous membranes and infected blood.

To prevent even such rare occurrences, precautions should be taken in all settings, including the home to prevent exposure to the blood of persons who are HIV infected, at risk for HIV infection, or whose infection and risk status are unknown.

• For example, gloves should be worn during contact with blood or other body fluids that could possibly contain visible blood, such as urine, faeces or vomit.
• Cuts, sores, or breaks on both the caregivers' and patients' exposed skin should be covered with bandages.
• Hands and other parts of the body should be washed immediately after contact with blood of other body fluids.
• Surfaces spoiled with blood should be disinfected appropriately.
• Practices that increase the likelihood of blood contact, such as sharing razors and toothbrushes, should be avoided.
• Needles and other sharp instruments should be used only when necessary and handled according to recommendations for health care settings.  (Do not put caps back on needles by hand or remove needles from syringes.  Dispose of needles in puncture-proof containers out of the reach of children and visitors.)

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