Safer Sex
Safe Sex. The only true, 100% infallible method is abstinence. Since many STDs can be transmitted not only through sexual intercourse but also through skin-to-skin contact, even the most careful individuals can be susceptible to infections.
Safer sex, on the other hand, is sex which involves a greatly reduced risk of STD and HIV transmission. Safer sex includes oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse when using a condom or dental dam. Safer sex has many advantages over unsafe sex. Above all, there is a lesser degree of risk of disease transmission, some of which are incurable. This produces greater peace of mind for each partner which translates into a better sexual experience for all partners involved.
Unsafe sex is sex which involves a significant risk of STD and/or HIV transmission. Any contact with the blood, semen, or vaginal secretions of one's partner is unsafe sex.
Since many STDs, including HIV, do not produce any immediate symptoms in those who have them, a partner can be a carrier for months or even years and never know it. For example, chlamydia is asymptomatic in 75 percent of women and 25 percent of men who have the disease. It is possible that you may have an STD even if your symptoms have seemed to have disappeared. You may still be capable of transmitting an infection to other sexual partners. If you think you may be at risk for an STD, seeking medical treatment is incredibly important!
Safer sex can also help intercourse last longer and provides a range of new sensations which many people find pleasurable. Safer sex reduces the risk of conception during heterosexual sex. Safer sex also demonstrates respect and courtesy for one's partner by putting her/him at less risk for disease transmission.
STD's know no race, religion, nationality, age, or sexual preference. Individuals can contract an STD during their first sexual contact. STD's can be transmitted during unsafe intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex.
Certain STDs, including HIV and Hepatitis B, can be transmitted through contact with infected blood. If you use hypodermic needles, make sure it is sterile and that you are the only person who has and will ever use the needle. After injecting a needle, a small amount of blood enters and remains in the needle. The blood could enter someone else's blood stream if the needle is reused and not sterilized before use. Among intravenous drug users, HIV is most often transmitted through the sharing of infected needles. Needle exchange programs reduce the risk of HIV transmission. They have been proven not to increase intravenous drug use.
Although unprotected oral sex is safer than unprotected intercourse or anal sex, STDs and HIV can still be transmitted during unprotected oral sex. STDs and HIV can be transmitted to either partner during oral sex. This includes fellatio (oral to penis), cunnilingus (oral to vagina), and annilingus (oral to anus). SSIS recommends using an unlubricatred condom for fellatio (oral to penis). SSIS recommends using a dental dam for cunnilingus (oral to vagina) and annilingus (oral to anus).
Sources:
"Hot Sex, Safely," http://www.sexuality.org/safersex.html
3/10/99.
"Position Statement: Needle Exchange and HIV," http://www.ana.org/readroom/position/blood/blnedl.htm,
3/10/99.
"Safer Sex Menu," http://www.hivpositive.com/f-HIVyou/4-SaferSex/4-SafeSexMenu.html,
3/10/99.
"Sympatico: HealthyWay Magazine: Campus Health: Safe Sex," http://www.ns.sympatico.ca/healthyway/HEALTHYWAY/feature2f.html,
3/10/99.