SAFE SEX AND HIV INFECTION

Most people have heard that having unprotected sex with an HIV infected partner transmits HIV.

HIV is passed to others by:

direct intimate contact with HIV-infected body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen
having oral sex with an HIV-positive partner
an HIV-infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding
having sexual intercourse without a latex or plastic condom with an HIV-positive partner and
HIV-contaminated needles from drug use, tattoos, or body piercing

Protection from HIV comes with safer sex practices. Each person must choose what level of risk he or she is willing to take. The safest sex is no sex at all. This is called abstinence. Sex with a trusted monogamous partner, after determining that both are free of sexually transmitted diseases, is safe, too. Sex may be safe if:

both partners have been tested after 6 months of not having sex with anyone else and
both partners are trusted not to have sex with anyone else

Safe sex activities that will not transmit HIV include casual contact such as hugging, kissing on the lips, and sharing food or drink. Open mouth kissing and mutual masturbation have a variable risk if the couple is not careful about getting body fluids, vaginal fluids, or semen on an area of skin that may have an open cut or wound. High-risk activities include oral sex and vaginal or anal intercourse.

Condoms have been shown to decrease the chance of HIV transmission significantly, but they are not foolproof. Condoms must be used properly. Using a condom for every oral, vaginal, or anal sex act will decrease the risk for HIV. Only latex or plastic condoms used with water based lubricants are effective. The use of alcohol and other drugs may impair one's judgment, and increase the chance of improper condom use or risky sex.

It's best to talk about sex before you have it. Do not engage in any risky sex unless you are fully protected and understand the consequences of your actions. This will allow you to keep yourself, and your partner, safe.

For more information on HIV and AIDS, call the 24-hour National STD and AIDS Hotline at (800) 227-8922 or (800) 342-2437. The Spanish speaking Hotline at (800) 344-7432 is available between the hours of 8:00 AM and 2:00 AM eastern standard time 7 days a week. The TTY line for the hearing impaired is (800) 243-7889 between 10:00 am and 10:00 PM Monday through Friday eastern standard time. These hotlines are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Information can also be obtained from their website at www.cdc.gov.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File INFE4618.RF2 VRS# 4618 Data Version 7.0