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Protecting yourself from HIV is essential no matter where you are this summer! Our Tampa HIV prevention professionals bring the strategies you need to have fun and stay safe.
The state of Florida, and specifically Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, lead the nation in new HIV cases. These counties are listed among the ‘48 areas of concern’ by the federal government, making HIV prevention in Tampa something that should be on everyone’s mind. The fact is, protecting yourself is simple! We have so many highly-effective ways that you can live your life and stay safe, and we’ll share some of them here.
HIV Prevention Tips You Can Use Today
Try No-Risk Sexual Activities
Since HIV spreads through blood and sexual fluids like semen and vaginal fluid, knowing how to have safer sex is important. There are tons of great no-risk sexual activities you can try. None of these activities have ever resulted in a reported case of HIV, so feel free to enjoy:
- Kissing
- Dry humping
- Masturbating
- Oral sex with a condom or dental dam
- Using clean sex toys
- Touching or petting
Start PrEP
If your partner or partners live with HIV, you can still have a healthy sex life! PrEP is Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and you take it once a day to prevent HIV. You can talk to one of our medical providers to help decide if PrEP is right for you.
PrEP is highly effective and has very limited to no side effects. It’s a great option for anyone who wants to protect themselves from HIV while still enjoying an intimate relationship with someone living with HIV.
Try Lower-Risk Sexual Activities
There are a lot of sexual activities you can do that are lower risk and have caused very few reported cases of HIV. Combining these activities with other protection strategies can help you stay safe and have a great sex life too!
Activities like vaginal sex with a condom and/or PrEP, anal sex with a condom and/or PrEP, oral sex, and open-mouth or French kissing are all considered to be low risk.
Get Tested!
Testing for HIV and other STIs is part of a great healthcare routine. Knowing your HIV status gives you powerful information that can keep you and your partners healthy. If you test negative, you know that your prevention methods and safer sex habits are working!
Testing positive for HIV opens access to more treatment methods than ever before, making regular testing critically important.
Who Should Get Tested?
HIV testing at Harmony Healthcare Orlando is for everyone. We provide our services at no cost because we want to include, love, and support everyone in our community. In addition to routine testing, you should also get tested if:
- You’re in a new relationship
- Someone else you know wants to get tested
- You had unprotected sex
- You’re considering starting PrEP
- You’ve injected drugs or had unprotected sex with someone who has
- And more
We’re here for all of your Orlando, Kissimmee, and Tampa HIV prevention needs. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to set up an appointment, contact our office today! We can’t wait to provide you with the high-quality medical care and welcoming environment you deserve.
