Playin' It Safe

Understanding safer sex is important.

A lot of people don't know they've got HIV. They can look and feel healthy but still have the virus. There is also evidence that some gay men who get HIV are getting it because they have decided to give up condoms with their regular partner who they love and trust.

Safer sex is an issue for all of us. Although many gay men have been having safer sex for a long time now, a lot of people still have unsafe sex. Gay and bisexual men are still getting HIV.

HIV can be present in infected blood, semen and pre-ejaculate (the fluid that leaks out of your penis when aroused). Safer sex means not letting any of these fluids inside another person's body. Many ways of having sex carry no risk of HIV - like kissing, masturbation and body rubbing. It's anal and vaginal sex without a condom (rubber) that carry the highest risk. Always use a condom to cut down the chance of HIV being passed on.

You can get more information about HIV and AIDS from the international AIDS charity AVERT www.avert.org

Find out about World AIDS day at www.worldaidsday.org