Who's at Risk?

Anyone can get HIV — young and old, men and women, straight, gay and bisexual, rich and poor, and all racial and ethnic groups - but not everyone faces the same risk. Your risk comes from what you do, and who you do it with - that is, how likely it is that the person you have sex or share needles with is infected. But even if you are part of a community with a high infection rate, you can avoid getting HIV. Staying uninfected takes thinking, planning and follow-through. Often it means talking about things that may make you uncomfortable. It can help to "practice" talking with people you can trust or who are going through the same thing.