While prevention efforts have managed to reduce the number of new HIV infections, each year, an estimated 40,000 Americans are newly infected with HIV. Efforts are underway by many agencies - primarily the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - to fund prevention programs to educate people at highest risk, as well as the general public, about HIV/AIDS and preventing or reducing their risk

The ways to prevent HIV transmission are well documented. Unfortunately individuals are still being diagnosed with HIV. Prevention programs focus on reducing the behaviors associated with HIV transmission through education and providing everyone regardless of personal behavior with the facts about how HIV is transmitted. An essential way to prevent transmission is to know your own HIV status, and the only way to know your HIV status is to get tested for HIV.

How can I protect myself?

Don't share needles and syringes used to inject drugs, steroids, vitamins, or for tattooing or body piercing. Also, don't share equipment ("works") used to prepare drugs to be injected. Many people have been infected with HIV, hepatitis, and other germs this way. Germs from an infected person can stay in a needle and then be injected directly into the next person who uses the needle.
The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a longterm mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and you know is uninfected.
For persons whose sexual behaviors place them at risk for STDs, correct and consistent use of the male latex condom can reduce the risk of STD transmission. However, no protective method is 100 percent effective, and condom use cannot guarantee absolute protection against any STD. The more sex partners you have, the greater your chances are of getting HIV or other diseases passed through sex.
Condoms used with a lubricant are less likely to break. However, condoms with the spermicide nonoxynol-9 are not recommended for STD/HIV prevention. Condoms must be used correctly and consistently to be effective and protective. Incorrect use can lead to condom slippage or breakage, thus diminishing the protective effect. Inconsistent use, e.g., failure to use condoms with every act of intercourse, can result in STD transmission because transmission can occur with a single act of intercourse.
Don't share razors or toothbrushes because of they may have the blood of another person on them.

As of the moment, there�s really no vaccine to prevent AIDS much more there�s really no cure for AIDS. That is why prevention is still the key to avoid getting this disease. And to do this, education about HIV and AIDS are very important.

If you are HIV negative:

Be informed about HIV and AIDS � education about HIV is the best way to protect you and your family from HIV and AIDS.
Make sure that your partner is HIV and AIDS free.
Make sure that you engage only protected safe sex.
Don�t share needles. Needle sharing in injecting drugs is very harmful and increase your risks of getting HIV and AIDS.
Avoid use of illegal drugs. You may want to ask for help for your drug use.
Blood transfusion from other countries may not really be safe. As there are third world countries that don�t screen their blood donors so it is important that you undergo yourself for HIV screening if you receive blood donations from other countries.
If you are male, you may consider male circumcision as circumcision can decrease your risk of acquiring HIV.
Submit yourself to regular screening tests, if you are a woman, you may consider submitting yourself to regular Pap test.

Prevention is the only way to avoid HIV or AIDS because there�s really no known cure about HIV and AIDS.

And important way of prevention is education and awareness.

Here are some preventive things that you should do if you want to avoid HIV or AIDS:

1. Increase you and your family�s awareness about HIV and AIDS.

2. Be responsible. Engage only in protected safe sex.

3. Make sure that you and your partner is free from HIV and AIDS.

4. Never share needles use in piercing, scarification and tattoos.

5. Never use illegal drugs. If you are drug dependent, you should consider entering drug rehabilitation facilities.

6. Blood transfusion is not really safe particularly if you have received blood transfusion in other countries outside United States. It is recommended that you undergo HIV screening after you received blood transfusion from other countries.

7. For men, you may also plan to undergo circumcision because it decreases your chances of getting STD�s which are also related to HIV and AIDS.

8. If you are HIV negative but you live a sexually active life, it is recommended that you submit yourself to round of HIV blood tests.

9. If you are a female, it is recommended that you submit yourself to Pap smear test every year.

Understanding AIDS Prevention Recommended Resources:

University of California

AIDS Prevention Initiative Nigeria