You can infect others with HIV by engaging in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex or needle sharing. Tell your sexual partners and those with whom you have shared needles that you are HIV+ and encourage them to be tested for HIV.

You and your doctor can discuss the best way to notify your partners. Some health departments and HIV clinics have anonymous partner notification systems — your partners are told that they have been exposed but are not told who reported their names or when the reported exposure occurred.

If you have not already, begin using HIV-prevention strategies, such as condoms and safer sex practices. If you inject drugs, don't share your needles with anyone else. It is important to use HIV prevention strategies even if your partner is also HIV+. Your partner may have a different strain of the virus that could act differently in your body or may be resistant to different anti-HIV medications.

For women

You may wish to discuss ways to prevent pregnancy with a health care provider, as your baby will be at high-risk for HIV. If you want to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about how to prevent transmitting HIV to your baby. To learn more, see the HIV During Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery and After Birth fact sheet series.