Safe sex and aids
- By Super Admin
- Published 09/15/2007
- AIDS
- Unrated
Safe sex and aids
The aids epidemic has become a worldwide problem. Almost everyone is aware of the seriousness of this dangerous disease. Aids was originally thought to be a disease only of homosexuals. Now we know it's a disease caused by a virus. We also now know that it strikes people of all ages, all races and all economic levels. Any person can be at risk for getting aids.
Aids can be contracted in a variety of ways. However, there are two primary ways in which it is transmitted. One is through sexual contact. Sexual intercourse with a person who carries the aids virus puts another person at a definite risk for getting the disease. The other major way is the sharing of IV drug needles or syringes and sexual intercourse with infected IV drug users. Blood transfusions before 1985 have also been found to have transmitted the aids virus to some people, especially hemophiliacs. All blood is now tested for aids virus before use.
Unfortunately, one can't tell who carries the aids virus just by looking. There are no signs that indicate infection unless the person is actually sick with the disease. Even then, the signs may be confusing or misleading. That means that it's never safe to assume that a person does not have aids just because they appear to be healthy.
Testing for the aids virus does not give complete accuracy in deciding the safety of a sexual partner. In fact, it's possible for a person to have the aids virus and not be positive on the aids test. This is because it takes some time for the body to react to the presence of the virus.
When the body recognizes the virus it begins making antibodies, but it takes time for the antibody level in the blood stream to show positive on a "HIV " or "aids" test. These antibodies are made to fight off future infections. An infected person usually develops antibodies within two months or so, after being exposed to the aids virus, during this time the aids test will be negative. This is because the body has not had sufficient time to make the antibodies that are detected by the aids test. In this case the person may be capable of spreading the infection without knowing that they have the aids virus.
This also means that having sexual
intercourse with that person or any person carrying the virus puts one at risk for developing aids. There is no vaccine or cure for aids. This means that the only way of avoiding the disease and its problems is through prevention.
This has led to what has been called "safe sex." Actually the term should be "safer sex," since there are no guarantees that any sexual act can be totally safe. Safer sex means avoiding sexual contact with body fluids which may contain large amounts of the aids virus. These fluids include blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.
In order to do this the following guidelines should be helpful:
These guidelines don't guarantee freedom from all contact with the aids virus, but following them will greatly reduce your possible exposure. There's only one way to be sure of avoiding the virus from sexual practices. That is to maintain a monogamous relationship with another individual who is uninfected and who also maintains their commitment of monogamy with you.
Lastly, it's important for you to obtain an aids antibody test if you feel you may have already been exposed to the virus. If the results are positive you should follow appropriate guidelines worked out with your physician. Your local health department can tell you where free and confidential "aids" or "HIV" tests can be done.
Aids can be contracted in a variety of ways. However, there are two primary ways in which it is transmitted. One is through sexual contact. Sexual intercourse with a person who carries the aids virus puts another person at a definite risk for getting the disease. The other major way is the sharing of IV drug needles or syringes and sexual intercourse with infected IV drug users. Blood transfusions before 1985 have also been found to have transmitted the aids virus to some people, especially hemophiliacs. All blood is now tested for aids virus before use.
Unfortunately, one can't tell who carries the aids virus just by looking. There are no signs that indicate infection unless the person is actually sick with the disease. Even then, the signs may be confusing or misleading. That means that it's never safe to assume that a person does not have aids just because they appear to be healthy.
Testing for the aids virus does not give complete accuracy in deciding the safety of a sexual partner. In fact, it's possible for a person to have the aids virus and not be positive on the aids test. This is because it takes some time for the body to react to the presence of the virus.
When the body recognizes the virus it begins making antibodies, but it takes time for the antibody level in the blood stream to show positive on a "HIV " or "aids" test. These antibodies are made to fight off future infections. An infected person usually develops antibodies within two months or so, after being exposed to the aids virus, during this time the aids test will be negative. This is because the body has not had sufficient time to make the antibodies that are detected by the aids test. In this case the person may be capable of spreading the infection without knowing that they have the aids virus.
This also means that having sexual
This has led to what has been called "safe sex." Actually the term should be "safer sex," since there are no guarantees that any sexual act can be totally safe. Safer sex means avoiding sexual contact with body fluids which may contain large amounts of the aids virus. These fluids include blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.
In order to do this the following guidelines should be helpful:
- Decrease the number of sexual partners in your life. A monogamous relationship decreases your chances of coming in contact with the aids virus. A monogamous relationship means being faithful to one sexual partner.
- Avoid sexual activity that causes bleeding. Receptive anal intercourse is just one activity that's associated with the risk of bleeding.
- Use a latex condom. Condoms aren't fool proof, but have been shown to help stop the spread of aids if they're used properly throughout the sexual activity.
- Avoid shared sources of lubrication, sex toys, or douching equipment. Any sexual material that can carry the aids virus can contaminate a non-infected individual.
- Avoid any form of unprotected sex with individuals who may have had high-risk behaviors or activities. These would include: intravenous drug users, hemophiliacs, gay or bisexual men, and prostitutes.
- It's also important to remember that you can't be infected with the aids virus by casual contact. It's not transmitted by dry kissing, hugging, or sharing food and eating utensils of persons who have the virus. Neither is it transmitted by mosquitoes, toilet seats, or door handles.
These guidelines don't guarantee freedom from all contact with the aids virus, but following them will greatly reduce your possible exposure. There's only one way to be sure of avoiding the virus from sexual practices. That is to maintain a monogamous relationship with another individual who is uninfected and who also maintains their commitment of monogamy with you.
Lastly, it's important for you to obtain an aids antibody test if you feel you may have already been exposed to the virus. If the results are positive you should follow appropriate guidelines worked out with your physician. Your local health department can tell you where free and confidential "aids" or "HIV" tests can be done.