What is safe sex ?

Safe sex is a way of having sex without the risk of spreading HIV/AIDS or other STDs. There is no way to be 100% sure that HIV or other STDs will not be spread but safe sex practices have shown to be highly effective in prevention of HIV and STD transmission. Safe sex means taking precautions to stop semen or pre-ejaculate (pre-cum), blood or vaginal fluid from one person getting into the bloodstream of another person.

Abstinence, or no sex at all, is obviously safe.

Kissing does not involve semen, vaginal fluids or blood, so is safe - unless both partners have sores, open cuts or bleeding gums.

Massage, stroking and mutual masturbation are all forms of sexual enjoyment with only skin to skin contact, and will not pass on HIV. The only risks with mutual masturbation are cuts or sores on the hands, penis or vaginal area coming into contact with infected semen or vaginal fluids - latex gloves can be worn if needed or broken skin covered with plasters.

Studies show that oral sex is a low risk activity for HIV, although it is safest to avoid semen or menstrual blood in the mouth, particularly if there are cuts, sores on the lips, mouth infections or bleeding gums. Barriers such as condoms or latex dams can be used. A dental dam is a thin piece of latex which is be placed over the vagina or anal area during oral sex.

Rimming, or oral-anal contact, is a low-risk activity as far as HIV is concerned but is a risk for hepatitis. A dam, or condom split into a square is recommended.

Penis-vagina and penis-anus sex are safe when condoms are used properly.

Condoms and the female condom offer the best protection against HIV and other STDs.