A lot has changed about our understanding of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) over the past several decades. People used to worry about transmitting the virus through casual contact. Now, we know that simply sharing a living space doesn’t put anyone at risk of becoming infected with HIV. Good communication and staying educated on maintaining each other’s health and well-being are essential to any successful co-living arrangement.

People on HIV medication with undetectable viral loads have a low chance of passing on the virus. If your viral load is undetectable, it means there’s so little HIV in your blood that it can’t be measured by standard tests. New research shows that if someone’s viral load stays undetectable over a long period, they can’t pass HIV to their partner during sex. A person living with HIV is much less likely to become ill in general if they have a higher CD4 count, as CD4 cells help fight infection.

Daily activities like eating together and using the same bathroom are perfectly safe. HIV does not live outside of the body or on surfaces for very long. However, there are some best practices to protect you and your loved ones from potential health hazards at home. Not only should you aim to prevent HIV transmission, but it’s also crucial to keep everyone in the house from getting colds and other infections.

Here are some tips to make life at home a little more safe and peaceful for everyone.

1. Stock Your Bathroom With Supplies

Blood, semen, and vaginal fluids can contain HIV. Therefore, you’ll want to take extra precautions to avoid transmitting HIV when dealing with these fluids. Keeping the right supplies on hand, including bandages and disposable bags, can help prevent accidental exposure.

Soiled items that can’t be flushed (such as tampons or Band-Aids) should be disposed of carefully. Seal them in a plastic bag before tossing them in the trash can. By taking this small step, you can help protect the next person who empties the garbage.

If you keep your medicine in the bathroom, store it in a secure place where children or others can’t get to it, and make sure you know where it is at all times. Remember to check the expiration dates on your HIV medication regularly and safely dispose of any that have expired or are no longer needed.

2. Prepare Food Safely

HIV weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to defend itself against foodborne illness. Although some people may not think twice before consuming runny eggs, raw sushi, or medium-rare steaks and hamburgers, people with HIV are more likely to get a stomach bug when their food is undercooked.

Keep food safe for yourself and everyone else in the home by following basic food safety tips.

Tips for Cleaning

Wash your hands often, especially before preparing food and after touching any raw meat, poultry, seafood, or their juices.

Use hot, soapy water to clean dishes, cutting boards, countertops, utensils, and dishcloths.

Never reuse a plate or utensil that’s touched raw meat or seafood until it’s been thoroughly washed.

Practices for Food Safety

Before cutting into fresh fruits and vegetables, rinse them with running water and dry them with a paper towel. — Firm produce like potatoes need to be scrubbed before they’re prepared.

Take care to thaw and cook food properly. Don’t thaw frozen foods at room temperature. Instead, leave them in the refrigerator overnight. A food thermometer can tell you when your food has reached the recommended temperature during cooking.

Avoid letting food sit out at room temperature for too long after it’s cooked because bacteria grow rapidly when food is between 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remember to keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot, putting perishables in the refrigerator or freezer within one to two hours.

The water you drink and cook with can also cause illness. Get a water filter from the store, purchase bottled water, or boil tap water on the stovetop before using it in the kitchen to reduce the risk of getting sick.

3. Wear Gloves To Clean

If there’s a chance you may be in contact with body fluids when cleaning soiled laundry, sheets, or messes (such as vomit), wear disposable gloves. This is an important tip to follow for anyone, regardless of their health status, as it helps prevent the spread of other illnesses. Gloves can keep small cuts or sores covered and protected from exposure to viruses, including HIV.

If you’re living with HIV, it’s best to minimize your risk of infections and sickness by wearing gloves when doing dirty jobs. Wearing a mask while cleaning the litter box will help prevent you from inhaling soiled litter dust that may contain germs.

Ideally, a household member without HIV should be responsible for cleaning pet litter boxes, changing diapers, or performing other potentially hazardous chores. Wearing gloves and masks during these activities and washing hands well after can help make them less dangerous for those with a compromised immune system.

4. Use Separate Razors and Toothbrushes

Even if they look clean, razors and toothbrushes can have small traces of blood on them and should not be shared with others. Instead, buy disposable, one-use razors, and keep your personal items separated from your family members and housemates. Be extra careful and keep these items away from children. Buy different colors and brands, or designate your own drawer in the bathroom.

5. Avoid Opportunistic Infections

No one likes getting sick. But people with HIV who have weakened immune systems need to be extra cautious to avoid opportunistic infections that can attack when the immune system is down. Someone living with HIV who has a low CD4 count can get severely ill from something as simple as a common cold. In fact, opportunistic infections are one of the biggest threats to people with HIV.

When other people are sick at home:

• Try to keep your distance.
• Wash your hands often and encourage everyone else to do the same.
• If possible, open the windows to let fresh air inside.
• Use disinfectant wipes to wipe down high-traffic areas, like doorknobs and light switches.

Keeping everyone at home updated on their medical care and vaccines can also help stop sicknesses from spreading. You can let your doctor know that the people you live with aren’t feeling well. They may want you to take antibiotics or other precautionary measures.

6. Ask Your Health Care Provider

Certain activities raise the risk of transmitting an HIV infection, including breastfeeding, sharing needles, or having sex if one participant is HIV-positive and has a detectable viral load. Depending on the relationship dynamics of those you live with, you may need to take more specific precautions.

However, HIV status shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for moving in with friends, family, or roommates. Stay up to date with your HIV treatment and self-care, and ask your doctor if you’re unsure about whether you may be putting your health or others at risk. Living with other people can be a good source of support. With a little more attention to detail, there’s no reason it can’t be done safely.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myHIVteam, the social network for people with HIV and their loved ones, more than 40,000 people with HIV come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories.

What steps do you and the HIV-negative members of your household take to maintain healthy lives when rooming together? Post your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by sharing on your Activities page.