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Harbor Health > Programs and Services > HIV Services > HIV Risk Awareness

HIV Risk Awareness

Prevention = Awareness

Call (617) 533-2228 to talk with a Prevention Specialist

Everyone can learn about what may make someone more vulnerable to HIV. When you know about risk, you can take control of your health and make choices about how to protect yourself.

Risk assessment is a way to learn about your approximate HIV risk. The only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested.  For more information about testing, visit HIV Rapid Testing

What Are My Chances Of Getting HIV?

You may be more vulnerable to HIV exposure if you:

  • Are a man that has anal sex with other men
  • Have sex with an HIV-positive individual
  • Inject drugs using shared needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment
  • Have  unprotected sex with multiple partners of unknown HIV status
  • Have had sex (vaginal or anal) with a male partner who has had sex with another male
  • Have had or are at risk of having blood contact with an HIV-positive individual
  • Have been the victim of rape, date rape, or sexual abuse

People of all gender identities and sexual orientations are vulnerable to HIV exposure if they meet one or more of the criteria listed above.

Even if you do not think these factors apply to you, you can still get exposed to HIV. Always talk with a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you think you have been exposed to HIV. Post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP is a medication that can prevent HIV when taken within 72 hours of a potential exposure.

You can reduce your risk of HIV if you:

  • Use condoms during vaginal, anal, and oral sex
  • Ask sexual partners to get tested before intercourse
  • Take PrEP, a prescription medication that helps prevent HIV
  • Do not share drug injection equipment

Learn more about HIV Prevention

What Should I Do If I Am More Vulnerable to HIV?

Get Tested 

The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. The CDC also recommends people who are more vulnerable to HIV get tested every 3-6 months.

Connect to free, confidential HIV rapid testing at the THRIVE Clinic

Ask about PrEP

PrEP is prescription medication people who do not have HIV can take to protect themselves and their partners.

Learn more about PrEP

Contact the THRIVE clinic

Harbor Health’s THRIVE clinic provides free HIV prevention, testing, and resources for everyone in the community. For additional information and support, please contact THRIVE at (617)-533-2228 or click below to make an appointment.

What Should I Do If I Am At Less Risk?

Everyone can do something to prevent HIV. Check out our HIV prevention resources or contact the THRIVE Clinic to discuss your questions or concerns.