The HIV Virus and Sex

Avoiding sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Protect yourself and others. If you are HIV positive, you can spread the HIV virus—even if your viral load is undetectable. Also, even if you are HIV positive, you need to protect yourself from types of the virus that may be resistant to medication and from other STDs.

Condom use may help reduce the spread of HIV. Use a new latex condom every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. DO NOT use lambskin condoms, because they will not protect against HIV. Use a water- or silicone-based lubricant. Never use an oil-based lubricant, such as Vaseline or hand lotion. Oil-based lubricants can break down latex condoms. Always practice safer sex. Condoms can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV and STDs between partners.

The HIV virus is not spread by casual contact. The virus can only be transmitted if HIV-infected bodily fluid comes into contact with your blood or mucous membranes.

If you inject drugs, never share needles with anyone.

The HIV virus can be spread by

1. Unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal or anal)
2. Sharing drug needles or tattoo needles
3. Unprotected oral sex
4. Mother to child transmission
5. Breast-feeding

The HIV virus cannot be spread by

1. Casual kissing
2. Sharing food or utensils
3. Shaking hands
4. Coughing or sneezing

Family planning
If you are sexually active and you wish to avoid pregnancy, make sure to use a latex condom and spermicidal lubricant every time you have intercourse.

Important Safety Information for APTIVUS

• Patients taking APTIVUS may develop severe liver disease that can cause death. If you develop any of the following symptoms of liver problems, you should stop taking APTIVUS treatment and CALL your HCP right away: tiredness, general ill feeling or “flu-like” symptoms, loss of appetite, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes, dark (tea-colored) urine, pale stools (bowel movements), or pain, ache, or sensitivity on your right side below your ribs. If you have chronic hepatitis B or C infection, your HCP should check your blood tests more often because you have an increased chance of developing liver problems. Tell your HCP if you have liver disease, are infected with hepatitis B or C infection, or reduced liver function because you may have increased chance of liver disease problems while taking APTIVUS.
• Patients taking APTIVUS may develop severe bleeding in the brain that can cause death. You should report any unusual or unexplained bleeding to your HCP if you are taking APTIVUS.
• APTIVUS capsules and oral solution are always taken with Norvir^® (ritonavir)
• APTIVUS taken with ritonavir capsules or solution can be taken with or without meals
• APTIVUS taken with ritonavir tablets must only be taken with meals
• Your HCP will prescribe at least 2 other anti-HIV medicines with APTIVUS. This usually will increase the likelihood of treatment response.
• Baseline HIV resistance may affect your response to APTIVUS. Therefore, your HCP should conduct resistance tests and know your treatment history before prescribing APTIVUS.
• Tell your healthcare professional about all the medications you take. Taking APTIVUS with certain drugs can reduce the effectiveness of your treatment and can result in serious or life-threatening events.
• Tell your HCP if you have hemophilia or other medical conditions that increase the chances of bleeding. Tell your HCP about medicines you are taking to find out if they may increase your chance of bleeding.
• If you are taking APTIVUS oral solution, which contains vitamin E, you should not take additional vitamin E other than that contained in a standard multivitamin.
• Tell your HCP immediately if you develop or if you suspect you have a skin rash. APTIVUS should be used with caution in patients with a known sulfa allergy.
• Patients may develop new or worsening diabetes, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), immune reconstitution syndrome, changes in body fat, and elevated lipids. Your HCP may monitor your cholesterol and triglycerides before starting APTIVUS and while on treatment.
• Women taking APTIVUS and estrogen-based hormonal contraceptives are advised to use alternative methods of contraception during therapy with APTIVUS. Women using estrogens for birth control or hormone replacement have an increased chance of developing a skin rash while taking APTIVUS. If a rash occurs, it is usually mild to moderate, but you should call your HCP.
• Tell your HCP if you are thinking about becoming pregnant, if you are pregnant, or are thinking about breast-feeding. Breastfeeding can result in passing the HIV virus to your baby.
• The most common side effects of APTIVUS include diarrhea, nausea, fever, vomiting, tiredness, headache, and stomach pain. Rash was seen more frequently in children.
• APTIVUS should not be used in children under 2 years of age.