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 Minnesota AIDS Project
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How to Keep Yourself Safe 1. Preventing Sexual Transmission 2. Preventing Transmission During Substance Use 3. Preventing Transmission Through Pregnancy 4. Preventing Transmission in Occupational and Controlled Settings Preventing Sexual Transmission Abstinence One way to protect your self from HIV infection is to abstain from sexual intercourse. Many people today are choosing not to be sexually active until they enter a monogamous relationship. There are many ways to be intimate and sexual that don't include intercourse. Some options include massage, bathing together, kissing and talking about your sexual fantasies. Abstinence isn't always foolproof. Making the commitment to refrain from sex is difficult for many people. It takes as much work as other practices to reduce risk for HIV. Risk Reduction Risk reduction, or what some refer to as safer sex practices means never getting your partner's blood, semen or vaginal fluid in your body. It also means never letting your blood, semen or vaginal fluid enter your partner. The risk of this happening can be reduced if you: 1. Always use a latex or polyurethane condom with plenty of water-based lubricant for vaginal and anal sex. Unprotected vaginal and anal sex presents the highest risk for HIV infection. You can lower your risk by using a latex condom every time you have vaginal or anal sex. Use plenty of water-based lubricant, such as K-Y Jelly®, when you have vaginal or anal sex. Don't use oil-based lubricants, such as Vaseline® or hand lotion, because oil destroys the condom and causes it to break. 2. Use a latex barrier for oral sex with a woman and for oral-anal contact. Oral contact with blood and vaginal fluids presents a risk of infection. Using a latex barrier such as a dental dam every time you have oral-vaginal and oral-anal contact reduces risk. For proper use, make sure the entire vaginal or anal area is covered. Never turn the barrier over during use. Never use it more than once. Never use it on more than one partner. To increase pleasure, put some water-based lubricant on the side that goes against the vaginal or anal area. Flavor the other side with jelly or honey. Don't use foods with an oil base, such as peanut butter or chocolate sauce, because oil destroys the latex. 3. Use a latex condom for oral sex on a man. Oral contact with semen presents a risk of HIV infection. Even if the man does not ejaculate in your mouth, pre-ejaculatory fluid that contains a low concentration of HIV may be present. Using a latex condom when engaged in oral sex reduces risk. 4. Use a latex glove for vaginal or anal contact with the hand. Many people like to stimulate the vaginal or rectal areas with their fingers or hands. Small cuts or hangnails on your fingers can let your partner's blood or vaginal fluids enter your body. Your nails can tear the lining of the vagina or the rectum and blood can be exchanged. Using a latex glove also reduces the risk of transmission of other sexually transmitted infections. Wearing latex gloves when you insert your fingers or hands in your partner reduces the risk of infection. Using water-based lubricants reduces the risk of tearing both the glow and the vaginal or rectal lining. Never use a glove more than once or on more than one partner. A Word About Condoms No condom works if it is improperly or inconsistently used. What is "Safer Sex?" People have widely varying definitions of what sex is. For some people, erotic fantasies are classified as sex, while for others sex only means penetration. These differences make it difficult for people to think in terms of protection and to accurately assess their risk. Generally speaking, "safer sex" is sex that does not allow a person's blood, semen or vaginal fluids to enter another person's body. Since the vagina, penis, anus, rectum and mouth are vulnerable to HIV, it is important to protect them. A way to reduce the risk of infection is to protect these areas with a barrier that can be used for various sexual practices. Last Updated:
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Content Notice: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily though sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or materials, please exit this Web site. |
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