HIV and AIDS


HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

HIV is transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person through four bodily fluids: blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

HIV can infect anyone regardless of sex, race, class, or sexual orientation.

SEXUAL ACTIVITY RISK

Some sexual activities are more risky than others for the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Each guy must decide for himself the level of risk with which he is comfortable. Here is a basic scale to help you measure the risk associated with various sexual activities. Remember, the only way a sexually active guy can reduce risk is to practice safer sex.

Higher risk sexual activities include:

• Anal Sex (either receiving or giving) without a condom with a man who is HIV positive, or whose status you don't know.

Middle risk sexual activities include:

• Getting semen in your mouth from a male who is HIV positive, or whose status you don't know. (If you are also sexually active with women, performing cunilingus (vaginal oral sex) while she is menstruating. Again, provided that she is HIV positive or her status is unknown.)

How to get your man to Wear a Condom

Lower risk sexual activities include:

• Anal intercourse with a latex condom and water-based lube. The condom can break if not used properly. (If you are also sexually active with women, vaginal or anal intercourse with a condom.)

• Analingus (anal-oral sex) without a barrier. Blood can be in or around it.

• Hand to penis stimulation and exchanging bodily fluids.  This is risky when you get the other male's semen in your mouth or in the tip of your penis. (If you are also sexually active with women, getting her vaginal fluid in these areas.)

• Oral sex without getting semen in your mouth. Although studies have not determined the actual risk of getting precum in your mouth, HIV has been found in precum, so it is possible to get precum in open sores and be exposed to HIV. (If you are sexually active with women, cunilingus without getting vaginal fluid in your mouth.)

Minimal risk sexual activities include:

• Mutual masturbation. Semen can get in through broken skin.

• Analingus with a barrier.

• Oral sex with a condom. (If you are also sexually active with women, cunilingus with a barrier.)

• Mouth to mouth (French) kissing. Blood can get in through broken skin.

No risk sexual activities include:

• Masturbation. Touching, rubbing, or playing with your own penis or anus.

• Dry social kissing.

• Holding.

• Hugging.

• Massaging.

• Talking.

• Fantasizing.