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The
safest sex of all is no sex. We must help young people become
self-confident enough to say "no" to sex — despite peer and
social pressures. But they also have to know what "safer sex"
is. Sooner or later, most of them do decide to become sexually active.
They need to be prepared to protect themselves before that happens.
Safer
sex decreases the exchange of semen, vaginal fluids, and blood between
partners. It lowers the risk of transmitting HIV while having sex.
THE CONDOM
Latex
and female condoms prevent the exchange of semen, vaginal fluids, and
blood between sex partners. They should be used for sexual intercourse
every time unless
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both partners
have no sexually transmitted infections |
|
both partners
have no other partners |
| neither
partner shares needles |
Preventing
disease and unintended pregnancy are both important during vaginal
intercourse. Only latex and female condoms offer effective protection
against both HIV and pregnancy. To prevent infections, users of other
contraceptives should also use a latex or female condom every time they
have vaginal intercourse.
The most
important ways to reduce your risk are
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Keep your
partner’s body fluids out of your body — vagina, anus, or mouth.
The body fluids to be most careful about are blood, cum, pre-cum,
vaginal fluids, and the discharge from sores caused by sexually
transmitted infection. |
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Don’t touch
sores or growths that are caused by sexually transmitted infections. |
"SAFER
SEX" HIV RISK-COMPARISON CHART
VERY
LOW RISK — No reported cases due to these behaviors
|
Masturbation
— mutual masturbation |
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Touching
— massage |
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Erotic
massage — body rubbing |
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Kissing |
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Oral
sex on a man with a condom |
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Oral
sex on a woman with a Glyde® dam, plastic wrap, or cut-open
condom |
LOW
RISK — Rare reported cases due to these behaviors
|
Deep
kissing |
|
Oral
sex |
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Vaginal
intercourse with a condom or female condom |
|
Anal
intercourse with a condom or female condom |
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(Try
not to get semen or blood into the mouth or on broken skin.) |
HIGH
RISK — Millions of reported cases due to these behaviors
-
Vaginal
intercourse without a condom
-
Anal
intercourse without a condom
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SOME
DRUGS THAT ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TAKE RISKS WITH SEX |
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Alcohol
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Cocaine
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Ecstasy
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Poppers
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Speed
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Downers
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Crack
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Acid
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Heroin
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Marijuana
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SOME
FEELINGS THAT ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TAKE RISKS WITH SEX |
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Passion
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Shame
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Embarrassment
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Desire
to be swept away
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Insecurity
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Fear
of losing a partner
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Anger
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Desire
to be attractive
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Shyness
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Low
self-esteem
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Grief
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Need
to be wanted
Knowledge
and good judgment are the most important elements of safer sex. Alcohol
and drugs impair judgment and should be avoided whenever having sex is a
possibility.
DRUG
USE
Parents
should be able to discuss the use of IV drugs and its consequences with
their children. The same gifts that help kids protect themselves against
AIDS — Good Role Models, Self-Confidence, Sound Choice-Making Skills,
Trust, Feeling Normal, Knowledge, and Information — will help prevent
drug use.
People
who share equipment for "skin popping," IV drugs, or steroids,
are at great risk of contracting HIV and should stop using. Until drug
users successfully complete treatment programs, it is important that they
Buy
and keep their own equipment.
Refuse
to share needles or other drug equipment.
Keep
their equipment where others cannot find and use it.
Know
that sometimes re-bagged used needles are sold on the street as new.
Get
involved in a needle-exchange program.
Clean
needles with bleach or alcohol if forced to share.
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Parents
and caregivers who want more information can call the National
Institute of Drug Abuse, Drug Information, and Treatment at
1-800-662-4357, or visit http://www.nida.nih.gov/.
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DEATH
AND DYING
Many
kids face death and loss because of AIDS. It is important to acknowledge
their need to grieve as they anticipate and experience loss. We should be
sure to include them in all family discussions, visits, and ceremonies
that are part of the grieving process. Taboos against including kids in
these events are misguided. For healing to take place, children must be
allowed their goodbyes.
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Young
people may need help dealing with grief, just as they do with issues
of sexuality and health. Family Service America is a nationwide
resource for counseling children and families experiencing grief. To
find the location of the nearest affiliate, call 1-800-221-2681, or
write
Family Service America
11700 West Lake Park Drive
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224
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THE
FUTURE
There
still is no cure for AIDS or HIV disease. But one thing about AIDS is very
reassuring for people with HIV, their families, and friends. Compared to
other communicable infections, HIV is hard to get. HIV is not carried by
air or water, in food, or by insects or animals. It is not passed on by
casual contact with those who have been infected with it. Parents can
reassure themselves and their children that, with knowledge and good
judgment, AIDS is entirely preventable. Wanting to avoid it is the first
step. Young people will want to if we help them feel secure, informed, and
loved.
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