HIV Prevention

There is no vaccine or cure for HIV, but people can take steps to reduce their risk of getting the virus or spreading it to others.

What You Should Do

Practice safer sex

Protect yourself and others while having sex. (more)

Use clean needles

If you are an injecting drug user, use clean needles (do not share needles). (more)

Use the ENCORE Program

The state's anonymous ENCORE (Eduation, Needle Exchange, Counseling, Outreach, and Referral) program can provide anyone age 18 and older with safer sex materials, including clean syringes, bleach, alcohol swabs, cookers, and cotton, and condoms. Outreach workers can also provide anonymous HIV testing, referrals to drug treatment, medical care, and social services, and clothing and personal hygiene items. (more)

What We Do

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes three primary areas for HIV/AIDS prevention:

• Early identification and informing of persons who are HIV positive, referral, and linkage to care and treatment.
• Prevention for persons living with HIV and viral hepatitis.
• Prevention for persons who are at high-risk for HIV and viral hepatitis infection.
  (more)

The Rhode Island Department of Health funds a variety of community-based prevention programs based on the CDC’s best practices. These programs include:

• Prevention for Positives in a Clinical Setting
• HIV Prevention Case Management
• Health Education/Risk Reduction
• Harm Reduction (syringe exchange)
• HIV Counseling, Testing, and Referral