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THE FOA/TOPICS/MAKING SEX SAFER
Sexual activity is a risk for HIV transmission because it allows for the exchange of body fluids.
Some sexual practices put you at a higher risk of HIV transmission than others.
We believe everyone, regardless of their HIV status, should enjoy a healthy sex life. The smallest
bit of misunderstanding about how HIV is spread can lead to a lot of confusion when it comes to
making important decisions about safer sex.
The following are several guidelines you can use to decrease your risk of HIV infection through
sexual contact.
SAFE
These are considered safe when there is not sharing of semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
PROBABLY SAFE
These are considered probably safe when there is not sharing of semen, vaginal secretions, or
blood.
In order to be safe, condoms must be properly used, and may not slip or break. The risk of
condom failure makes these activities probably safe rather than safe.
UNSAFE
These are considered unsafe because there is a sharing of semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
ORAL SEX
Oral sex is considered to be less of a risk for HIV transmission than other activities, such as
unprotected anal or vaginal sex. While this is probably true, it is recommended that condoms
always be used during oral sex.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Some sexual practices put you at a higher risk of HIV transmission than others.
We believe everyone, regardless of their HIV status, should enjoy a healthy sex life. The smallest
bit of misunderstanding about how HIV is spread can lead to a lot of confusion when it comes to
making important decisions about safer sex.
- Abstinence is the only 100-percent way to avoid HIV.
- If you have a partner who is HIV negative, does not inject drugs and is having sexual contact
only with you, the risk of being infected with the virus is minimal.
- Being infected with a sexually transmitted infection can increase an HIV-positive person's
chance of transmitting HIV, just as it can increase an HIV-negative person's chance of
acquiring HIV.
- An HIV-positive person with a detectable viral load is more likely to transmit the virus to
somebody else-than an HIV-positive person who is receiving antiretroviral treatment and has
an undetectable viral load.
- Safer sex practices, including correct and consistent use of condoms for sex, can reduce the
spread of HIV.
- Using drugs or alcohol can impair judgment and cause people to forget to take care of
themselves-or their sexual partners.
The following are several guidelines you can use to decrease your risk of HIV infection through
sexual contact.
SAFE
These are considered safe when there is not sharing of semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
- Touching, massaging, hugging
- Masturbation, alone or with someone else
- Rubbing bodies together
- Dry kissing on the mouth
- Kissing or licking the body if the skin is clean, there are no open sores or mouth contact
- Talking about fantasies
PROBABLY SAFE
These are considered probably safe when there is not sharing of semen, vaginal secretions, or
blood.
- Vaginal intercourse with a condom
- Oral sex on a man with a condom on the penis
- Oral sex on a woman with a latex barrier over the vulva
- Anal intercourse with a condom
- Wet kissing with no sores or cuts in either person's mouth
In order to be safe, condoms must be properly used, and may not slip or break. The risk of
condom failure makes these activities probably safe rather than safe.
UNSAFE
These are considered unsafe because there is a sharing of semen, vaginal secretions, or blood.
- Vaginal intercourse without a condom
- Anal intercourse without a condom
- Oral sex without a condom
- Any sex with a condom that slips, leaks, or breaks
- Sharing objects put into the anus or vagina
- Any activity that allows blood to blood contact or allows blood contact with the mouth, vagina,
anus, or broken skin.
ORAL SEX
Oral sex is considered to be less of a risk for HIV transmission than other activities, such as
unprotected anal or vaginal sex. While this is probably true, it is recommended that condoms
always be used during oral sex.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
- Body fluids such as feces, nasal secretions, sputum, sweat, tears, urine, and vomit are not
considered risky unless they contain visible blood. - Breast milk has transmitted HIV from mother to child. Breast feeding is not recommended for
HIV positive mothers. - Saliva, which has been thoroughly studied, has never been shown to transmit the HIV virus.
HIV/AIDS 101
BAR TIPS
BREAKING THE STIGMA
CHOOSING A DOCTOR
CONDOM COMEBACKS
DISCLOSURE
HIV/AIDS STATISTICS
HIV/AIDS TESTING SITES
HIV TRAVEL TIPS
LIVING WITH HIV
MAKING SEX SAFER
NEWLY DIAGNOSED
NUTRITION EDUCATION
STARTING TREATMENT
BAR TIPS
BREAKING THE STIGMA
CHOOSING A DOCTOR
CONDOM COMEBACKS
DISCLOSURE
HIV/AIDS STATISTICS
HIV/AIDS TESTING SITES
HIV TRAVEL TIPS
LIVING WITH HIV
MAKING SEX SAFER
NEWLY DIAGNOSED
NUTRITION EDUCATION
STARTING TREATMENT