HIV: The Facts

You each have a card with directions on it. The people who have card 1 must wear a latex glove on one hand.

You will have 3 minutes to complete the directions on the card.

You just participated in an activity designed to help you understand HIV transmission.

What do you think the “handshake” in this activity represented?

The handshake represented a behavior that put you at risk for HIV.

How is HIV transmitted from one person to another?

HIV lives in semen, vaginal fluid, blood and breast milk of a person with HIV. It can be passed from one

person to another through these infected fluids.

Ways HIV Is Transmitted

• During vaginal, oral or anal sex.• By sharing needles and equipment to inject drugs.• By sharing needles used for tattoos and piercings.• By sharing needles used to inject vitamins or

steroids.• From unintentional needlestick injuries in a

hospital or clinic.• From a mother to her baby during pregnancy,

childbirth or breastfeeding.

Let’s investigate who was at risk because of the HIV handshake.

If you have Card 4, please stand. This card represents someone who is infected with HIV.

If your card has the name of a person who is standing, please stand.

This means that you may have contracted HIV.

If your card has the name of any of the people who are standing, please stand. Again, this means that you may have contracted HIV.

Do any of you who are standing have a glove on? What does this represent?

The glove represents a condom. Condoms are helpful in reducing the risk of HIV transmission, however, they are not 100% effective.

What are some reasons a condom might not be effective?

When condoms are used incorrectly they can break or slide off. Condoms also deteriorate with

age and heat which can cause them to break.

If you are wearing a latex glove, look closely at the fingertips. If there is a hole in one of them, it means the condom wasn’t

effective in reducing your risk of HIV infection.

If your glove doesn’t have a hole in it, you can sit down, because you avoided HIV infection by

using a condom correctly.

Now look around. All of the people who are standing put themselves at risk and may have

contracted HIV.

You’ve learned that condoms are one way to reduce the risk of HIV. What’s another way?

Being in a monogamous relationship is another way to reduce the risk of HIV. In a monogamous relationship,

both people have no other sexual partners.

To reduce the risk of HIV, both people have to be HIV free prior to entering the relationship. Monogamy is a long-term

commitment that can help people avoid the risk of HIV.

Stand up if you have Card 3. Read what your card says.

Only shaking the hand of another Card 3 holder represents monagomy.

What’s the only way to prevent HIV 100% of the time?

Remaining abstinent and not participating in any risky behaviors is the only way to have 100%

protection from HIV.

Stand up if you have Card 2. Read what your card says.

Not shaking anyone’s hand represents abstinence.

Card 2 holders:

• Did anyone try to shake your hand?• Were they successful?• What strategies did you use to resist shaking

hands?

You’ve participated in an activity that demonstrates how HIV can be transmitted and how it can be prevented. Ultimately you

are responsible for protecting your health and avoiding HIV.

Sometimes people mistakenly worry about HIV transmission when there is no risk.

What are some common myths regarding HIV transmission?

Ways HIV is NOT Transmitted

• Donating blood.• Hugging, kissing or sharing food.• Telephones, toilet seats, towels or eating

utensils.• Tears, saliva, sweat or urine.• Mosquitoes or other insects.

Thinking about how your life would change if you were infected with HIV can motivate you to act to reduce your risk.

Turn to “Thinking About HIV” on page 19. Follow the directions and complete the activity.