What is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) ? This is the virus that causes AIDS. People can become infected with HIV and they can pass it on to other people. A person infected with HIV is infected for life. People infected with HIV can look and feel well for a long time. What is AIDS ( Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)? A person is said to have AIDS if they are infected with HIV and in addition they have developed one of a number of particularly severe illnesses. There is currently no cure for AIDS and no vaccine to prevent it. In Britain, on average One person is infected every six hours The information provided in this page is adapted form a booklet by ADVERT (aids education and research trust.) Knowing someone well isn?t going to protect you against HIV if your partner is infected. And you might Think you know someone well enough after meeting them a few times. But you cannot tell if someone is free from infection just by looking at them - it doesn?t matter how nice they are!.

How can people become infected with HIV ? You can become infected by: 1. Having sexual intercourse with someone who is infected. 2. Injecting drugs using a needle or syringe which has already been used by an infected person. 3. An infected pregnant woman can pass the virus on to her unborn baby either before or during birth. HIV can also be passed on during breastfeeding. 4. If you receive donated blood in the UK there is almost no risk of HIV infection, because since 1985 all donated blood has been tested for HIV. What about oral sex ? Oral sex with an infected person does carry some risk of infection. But infection from oral sex (blowjobs) on its own seems to be very rare. You can?t become infected by: 1. Sharing a cup or cutlery with someone who is infected. 2. Eating food prepared by someone who is infected. 3. Touching, hugging, kissing or general contact with an infected person 4. Using the same toilet as someone with HIV.

Safe Sex There are lots of sexual activities that are completely safe and will not put you at risk. 1. You can kiss, cuddle, massage and rub each other?s bodies. 2. Mutual masturbation - fingering and touching each other?s sexual parts (but avoid getting come or viginal fluids on broken skin; protect with plasters!) Exploring and enjoying these sexual activities can be fun. They can also be a good way to learn about your body and how to give and receive sexual pleasure. Just because you?re going out with someone you don?t have to have sexual intercourse together. For some people sexual feelings are bound up with love and close relationships. Some think sex should only happen within marriage. For some people sex and love are two different things. What is important is that you feel good about yourself and what you are doing, and that you keep yourself safe. ?No one should be pressured into having sex when they would rather not?.

Sexual intercourse (Going all the way) If you and your partner decide to have sexual intercourse you need to PROTECT AGAINST HIV . Using a condom is the only way to reduce the risk of infection. If you also need to protect against pregnancy?. Then using the contraceptive pill is the surest way to reduce the risk of pregnancy. Contraceptive pills are the most effective way to stop getting pregnant, but girls can only get them on prescription from a doctor. The pill offers NO protection against HIV infection. So use condoms and the pill for double protection Of course, if you are sure that your partner is not infected, then there is no risk of infection from having sex without a condom. But can you ever be really sure ?. What if your first sexual relationship comes to an end ? Would you be as confident about a second partner as you were about the first ? Few people have only ONE sexual partner in their life. So as you get older, the more uncertainty there will be about a new partner?s sexual history. Asking someone to use a condom might suggest that you : 1. Don?t trust them 2. think they could be infected 3. think they are bisexual 4. think they have used drugs 5. think they have slept around. But, condoms are there to keep you both safe. If you feel safe, you can both relax and enjoy sex all the more. Buying condoms Anyone can buy condoms from chemists, supermarkets, some garages and machines in public toilets. You don?t have to be over 16. Or you can get them free from a family planning Clinic or some doctors. For more details go to our students and sex section.

Using Condoms It?s a good idea to practise with condoms before having sex to get used to them and give you more confidence. Condoms can stretch but are delicate. You must be careful not to tear or make any holes in a condom either when getting it out of the packet or when using it Some condoms have a teat at the end and if you squeeze the teat as it is rolled on to the penis it avoids a bubble of air inside the condom - it could break otherwise. Put the condom on the penis when it is hard before you begin to have intercourse. Condoms will only unroll in one direction. After ?coming?, hold the condom in place as you pull out. With anal intercourse, use a stronger condom. If you need extra lubrication, make sure it is water-based, for example, KY jelly which you can buy from supermarkets and chemists. Do not use Vaseline as it is oil-based. Condoms must only be used once. You cannot use two condoms for double protection.

High Risk Situations 1. Drink does affect you and you could do something you might regret. 2. Alcohol and other drugs can increase the risk of HIV infection by making you less careful about the way you behave. 3. If you?re drunk, stoned or ?out of it? it can be easier for ?things to happen?. You might have sex and find it difficult to use a condom. You might even forget altogether about protecting yourself. 4. Alcohol, Cannabis, Ecstasy and LSD can change the way you feel, and also the way you act. 5. The best way to avoid infection is not to inject drugs. The next best thing is not to share works with anyone.

Useful contacts AVERT ( AIDS education & research trust) 4 Brighton road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5BA. Tel 01403 210202. Email: avert@dail.pipex.com. www.avert.org AVERT provides a free information service that can help with school projects on HIV and AIDS, and related matters. For a free copy of the following booklets: Sexual feelings & relationships Young gay men talking Condom pills & other useful things HIV & AIDS. contact AVERT at the above address. Please remember to include reference http://www.ukstudentnews.co.uk.

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