Click on a question about safe sex to read an answer to it.
What is safe sex?
Although younger people have grown up during the
age of AIDS, many feel they are not at risk. Even if
your partner is young and healthy looking, he or she
may be infected with HIV. As you begin to understand
and explore your sexuality, you must also learn about
safe sex.
Safe sex (also known as safer sex) is a way to have
the joy of sex while reducing the possibility of catching
HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Practicing
safe sex doesn't guarantee you will not catch HIV, but
it does reduce the risk enormously. Various activities
are rated by the risk associated with them.
No risk activities are hugging, kissing, touching,
mutual masturbation.
The main rule to remember is to avoid exchanging
bodily fluids such as blood, semen, precum and vaginal
fluids. These fluids can get into the body through the
linings of the vagina and the anus, the tip of the penis
and through open sores and cuts. In the mouth they can
enter through cuts and ulcers.
Oral sex is considered a low risk activity. Avoid
oral sex if you have mouth ulcers or bleeding gums or
have just cleaned your teeth. It is suggested that you
use a condom or dental dam for oral sex to reduce this
risk. It is also suggested that you avoid getting semen
in your mouth. Many people ignore both of these suggestions
as they like the taste of one but not the other. If
you swallow semen any virus will be killed by stomach
acids, though it can enter open wounds before it gets
there.
Anal Intercourse is a high risk activity. There is
danger to both people here as the virus can travel in
either direction through pre-cum, cum and blood. The
virus cannot get through a condom. Using condoms properly
is the best protection if you are having anal intercourse.
Vaginal Intercourse has the same risks as anal intercourse.
Use a condom. Most HIV+ people in the world have been
infected this way.
Call a counsellor to discuss the risks involved in
other sexual activities.
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What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. AIDS
stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and is
caused by infection with HIV. A person who is HIV positive
(HIV+) has been infected with HIV. Otherwise it is known
as being HIV negative (HIV-).
The virus reduces the effectiveness of the immune
system by destroying the T4 white blood cells and other
cells in the body. Once the immune system is damaged,
a number of opportunistic infections can occur such
as PCP (Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia), Karposi's sarcoma,
dementia and CMV (cytomegalovirus).
In the early 1980s AIDS was identified but nobody
knew what caused it. Initially it appeared to only occur
in homosexual men. The virus HIV was identified as the
cause in 1983.
There is no known cure for HIV/AIDS, but there are
many treatments that allow a person to live with the
virus and maintain a decent quality of life. There are
now many long term survivors living with the virus and
there is much hope for their continued survival.
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Avoiding HIV/AIDS
HIV is transmitted in infected semen, pre-ejaculate
(precum), vaginal secretions, or blood. It can get into
the body through contact with the penis, vagina, anus
or any open cuts or sores.
Most HIV infection occurs during unprotected intercourse.
That is anal or vaginal sex without a condom. Oral sex
can transmit the virus but at a much lower rate compared
with other sexual acts.
Practising safe sex can prevent HIV infection. Discussing
safe sex is often difficult and practising it can at
first be even more difficult. Learning how to enjoy
one's sexuality with safe sex can be complicated but
it is vitally important.
Sharing needles and works (drug paraphernalia) when
injecting drugs or steroids is another high risk activity
for HIV infection. Here the infected blood gets directly
into the blood stream. Sharing needles used for body
piercing or tattooing may also pose a risk. You can
avoid HIV infection by using a syringe once and only
once.
When you don't share your needle you don't run the
risk of either passing on or contracting any diseases.
Sterile, never-used needles and syringes are safer than
bleach-disinfected, previously used needles and syringes.
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Using a condom
Where do I get condoms?
Condoms are usually available free from sexual and
other health clinics and from community-based organisations.
They can be purchased at pharmacies and supermarkets.
Purchasing and using condoms demonstrates sexual responsibility.
How do I use a condom?
Condoms are usually used for anal or vaginal sex,
but can also be used for oral sex. It is important to
use a condom the right way.
Carefully open the condom package and to remove the
condom being careful not to damage it.
 Place
the condom against the head of the erect penis, leaving
about 1 cm (1/2 inch) of space at the end by gently
squeezing the end of the condom to remove air from the
tip.
Hold the tip of the condom and unroll it to the base
of the penis. If you are uncircumcised, pull your foreskin
back before unrolling the condom.
 Apply
plenty of water based lubricant (such as Wet Stuff or
Glyde) to the condom and the anus or vagina. Do not
use lubricants such as Vaseline as they weaken the condom
and may lead to holes and breaks. Many condoms are lubricated,
but this may not be sufficient.
Check the condom frequently during sex to make sure
that it hasn't slipped off or broken. If there is not
enough lubrication during sex it increases friction
and the likelihood of the condom breaking. Add more
water based lubricant when required.
 After
ejaculating, hold the base of the condom to keep it
from coming off and remove the penis from the partner's
vagina, anus or mouth.
Wrap the condom and dispose of it in the rubbish.
Never use a condom twice. Use only water based lubricants
(such as Wet Stuff or Glyde). Use condoms within a year
or two of the date of manufacture. Keep condoms away
from heat (radiators, direct sunlight, etc).
Condoms are extremely reliable. They usually only
break when they are fitted incorrectly or there is not
enough lubricant. Neither sperm, nor the viruses and
bacteria that cause HIV and other sexually transmitted
diseases can penetrate an intact latex condom. If your
condom does break, withdraw carefully and immediately.
If there is any possibility that infection has occurred
talk to a doctor or clinic about getting tested.
If you have never used a condom before you might
like to practice putting one on by yourself before trying
it with a partner. This will mean that it is easier
in the heat of the moment. It may also make you look
better in your partner's eyes.
At first you may find it uncomfortable and strange
to use condoms in a situation in which previously you
never gave them a thought. Condoms are, however, a most
important part of safe sex.
Condoms are usually available free from sexual and
other health clinics and from community-based organisations.
They can be purchased at pharmacies and supermarkets.
Purchasing and using condoms demonstrates sexual responsibility.
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Getting tested
If you are worried that you have exposed yourself
to HIV it is an idea to get yourself tested. First find
a doctor or clinic where you feel comfortable discussing
this matter. If you are not comfortable discussing this
with your family doctor you may prefer to go to another
doctor or a health or HIV clinic. HIV clinics often
allow you to be totally anonymous. Contact your local
HIV/AIDS body or counselling service to find out where
to go close to you.
To test for HIV infection a blood sample is taken
and this is tested to see if it contains HIV antibodies.
It takes a week before you get your results. Results
are not usually given out over the phone and a good
doctor or clinic will make sure that both pre- and post-test
counselling is given.
After exposure to the virus it takes between six
and twelve weeks (called a "window period")
before a the body produces antibodies to the virus.
Before this time there is no way to test if you are
infected. You can't go to the doctor the day after and
say please test me.
Now-a-days it is sensible to be aware of your HIV
status.
If you are positive you can receive life-sustaining
treatments that slow down the progress of the virus
and progression to AIDS and AIDS related conditions.
You can also ensure your sexual behaviour does not put
sexual partners at risk of infection.
If you are tested and the result is negative the
relief you feel may inspire to remain that way by ensuring
you practice safe sex.
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