| PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF AIDS„« What do you learn? We cover lots of topics, including how someonegets HIV and other STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), peer pressure, avoiding police contact, and others. |
An estimated 250,000 young Americans DO NOT KNOW they are infected with HIV. • The three urban areas with the most people diagnosed with AIDS are as follows: Manhattan, Los Angeles, followed by Brooklyn.websites www.nyc.gov. www.thebody.org |
In New York State:• African-Americans and Hispanics account for 88% of all AIDS cases among men aged 13-24• Almost 1 out of 3 adolescent AIDS cases are among young African-American women.• African Americans make up 42% of AIDS cases in this state.• . |
In the United States• Every hour, two people between 13-25 are contracting HIV•One out of five teens gets a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)each year. •Half of all new infections of HIV are among people under 25.•An estimated 250,000 young american |
| What is the basic difference between HIV and AIDS?
Ø HIV is the virus that attacks the immune system. The virus that is known to cause AIDS.
Ø There are many theories about where HIV may have come from. Scientists, however, have been unable to come up with an answer. What we do know is how HIV is spread and how you can protect yourself from becoming infected with the virus.
Ø AIDS is a condition that can result from being infected with HIV. A person can have HIV for a very long time and not be diagnosed with AIDS. We will talk more about this shortly.
HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Ø H = Human. This infection is transmitted (only) between humans. That means that only PEOPLE can get infected.
Ø I = Immunodeficiency. This infection begins weakening the immune system. The immune system allows our bodies to fight off illness and germs and helps us stay healthy.
Ø V = Virus. A virus is a germ that makes people sick.
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AIDS: What do these letters mean?
AIDS = Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Ø A = Acquired. You have to “get” or “acquire” the virus from someone who is HIV infected.
Ø I = Immune. It affects the immune system. The immune system is what fights diseases and infections in our body.
Ø D = Deficiency. The immune system is weakened – or deficient.
Ø S = Syndrome. A collection. The virus causes multiple symptoms
HIV Transmission
Now that we know what HIV and AIDS stands for, let’s discuss how one can become infected – In other words, how HIV is transmitted.
Transmission means how an infection is passed from one person to another. HIV can be transmitted in a number of ways.
Body Fluids That transmit HIV
HIV only lives in human fluids. The body fluids of a person infected with HIV must get into the blood of others to infect them. The body fluids that can transmit HIV to others are as follows:
v blood
v semen (including pre-cum)
v vaginal secretions
v breast milk
Now that we’ve covered the BODY FLUIDS that can transmit HIV, it is important to talk about behaviors that involve the body fluids mentioned above.
SEX! ALL KINDS CAN TRANSMIT HIV
VAGINAL SEX: putting a penis in the vagina – this involves semen, vaginal secretions, and sometimes blood.
ANAL SEX: putting a penis in someone’s butt – male or female! This is considered to be the riskiest sex act when it comes to transmitting HIV. There can be a lot of blood present, not to mention semen.
ORAL SEX: putting the mouth on someone’s penis or vagina. Oral sex is especially risky for the person giving it. If he/she has sores in his/her mouth and the person they are giving it to is infected with HIV they can be infected. Although the least risky of the three, don’t be fooled! HIV can still be spread this way.
DRUGS AND SHARING NEEDLES ARE RISKY TOO
SHARING NEEDLES FOR DRUGS, PIERCINGS, AND TATTOOS: This is very risky! By sharing needles for any of these acts, you are basically injecting someone’s blood into your own bloodstream, putting you at risk for HIV, Hepatitis C, and all kinds of trouble. And you’d better believe it!
FROM MOTHER TO CHILD
THROUGH BREASTFEEDING: HIV is passed in breast milk.
DURING CHILDBIRTH: When a baby is directly exposed to its mother’s blood and vaginal/cervical fluid.
IN THE WOMB: From the “bag of water” (amniotic fluid that the baby is in) or through the placenta (this is where the baby gets its food).
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We have just covered the body fluids, as well as the behaviors, associated with transmission of HIV. Before we finish for the day, let’s look at the body fluids and activities that do not transmit HIV.
Body Fluids That Do Not Transmit HIV
Some body fluids are considered low risk for the spread of HIV. They may have HIV in them, but not nearly enough to spread the virus. Those fluids are as follows:
v Sweat
v Urine
v Tears
v Urine
v Feces
Can Casual Contact Cause the Spread of HIV?
There was a period of time, especially in the earlier days of HIV and AIDS, when there were many “myths” about how an individual could transmit HIV. All of these myths surrounding HIV transmission largely contributed to the discrimination that individuals living with HIV/AIDS had to deal with.
Fortunately, we know the body fluids that transmit HIV and the fluids that don’t. It is important to remember that HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact such as:
v Sitting on toilets
v Laying on sheets
v Swimming in a public pool
v Touching or hugging someone
v Getting bit by a mosquito
v Sharing food or drink with someone
v Sharing a cigarette
v Kissing someone
CONDOMS FACTS, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND NEGOTIATING SAFE SEX”What Is Safe Sex?
When we refer to “safe sex,” we are referring to sex without ANY risk whatsoever of contracting HIV or another Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). There is no sexual activity with another person that is 100 percent safe. The only way to be 100 percent sure that you will not get an STD is to remain abstinent. Being abstinent means not engaging in an activity at all. A person who chooses not to have sex is a person who is “abstinent” from sex.
So What’s the Big Deal About Condoms Anyway?
Fortunately, when a male correctly uses a latex condom every time he has sex, he will be able to protect himself and his partner from getting HIV and most other STDs. Although this may sound simple, we know from the previous exercise that people don’t always do what they know to be good for them.
On day two, we spoke about HIV statistics affecting your age group. We know that most HIV infections among adolescents are a result of having unprotected sex. Based on this fact, we know for certain that many adolescents do not use condoms to protect themselves when having sex.
Discussion Question: Why do you think people practice unhealthy behaviors – even knowing these acts may be bad for their health? Sexual Risk Reduction
Sexual risk reduction means taking steps to reduce the chance of getting HIV or STDs. It takes into account what people are willing and able to do to change their attitudes, lifestyles, and sexual activities.
Remember: ONLY ABSTINENCE OR SEX WITHOUT PENETRATION PROVIDES COMPLETE PROTECTION FROM HIV OR STDs!
There is ALWAYS a risk of HIV or STI transmission if a person has vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Vaginal sex – penis inserted into vagina
Anal sex – Penis inserted into the anus (or butt)
Oral sex – Mouth and/or tongue contact with the vagina, penis, or anus (butt)
Ways to Reduce the Risk
The following are different ways to reduce sexual risk:
Ø Using a latex (male) condom – THIS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO PREVENT HIV INFECTION IF HAVING SEX
(We will discuss in detail shortly)
Ø Female condoms – made of polyurethane, which is sturdier then latex
§ Worn during sexual intercourse by the female
§ Should not be used in combination with male latex condom
§ Can be used during anal sex, but not considered to be as effective as male condoms.
§ Can be placed in vagina hours before sex
Ø Dental Dams – a square piece of latex or polyurethane used as a barrier over the vagina or anus (butt) during oral sex. Saran wrap can also be used for this purpose.
Ø Note About Oral sex
§ Use male condoms for “blow jobs” or a dental dam for “going down” on a woman or “eating her out”.
§ Remember: semen/cum and vaginal fluids can transmit HIV especially if there are open cuts/sores in the mouth.
§ Another way of exchanging physical pleasure while reducing risk of HIV infection through kissing, hugging, fingering, or playing sex games.
§ Important to avoid contact with “cum” or vaginal fluids
§ Avoid sharing sex toys with other partners. Make sure to clean them thoroughly after each use.
How To Use A Condom
Even though many of us already know the steps in using a condom, some of us learn better when we see things. So, we are going to demonstrate the proper way to use a condom. We will also demonstrate how to use a female condom.
The following are guidelines on how to properly use a condom. Remember, it’s best to use a condom every time you have sex. As we demonstrate, please follow along.
• Purchase of latex condoms from a place that regularly sells a lot of condoms
• The penis must be erect before putting on a condom
• Open package. Be careful not to tear condom.
• Check condom for damage, holes, etc.
• Squeeze the air out of the tip
• Roll condom all the way down to base of penis
• While rolling, allow about a half an inch of space at the end of the condom to catch the semen (cum).
• Add lubricant like KY Jelly or similar water based lubricant. Most condoms come lubricated, but you can add more.
• After ejaculation, hold onto condom at base of penis
• Withdraw penis immediately while still erect
• Hold the condom at the base of the penis while withdrawing
• Staying inside his partner after coming is risky because the condom can slip off or leak as the erection goes down
• Remove condom and dispose of it properly, wrapped in toilet paper, in a trash can. Do not flush, as it can cause plumbing problems.
• Never reuse a condom.
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Although condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV infection during sex --> YOU MUST USE THEM CORRECTLY!!!
ADDITIONAL CONDOM FACTS! VERY IMPORTANT!
§ Buy and use condoms from a place that regularly sells a lot of them like a drug store rather than a novelty or sex shop. You can also get them from Fortune Society PEPSA/PTI staff for free.
§ Only latex or polyurethane condoms provide adequate protection against HIV transmission.
§ Lambskin condoms or “skins” do not provide adequate protection against HIV since they have tiny holes which HIV can pass through
§ Always use a new, unused, and undamaged condom
§ Check the expiration date
§ Never reuse a condom
§ Store condoms in a cool, dry place
§ Don’t carry condoms in your wallets for extended periods of time
§ Heat and sunlight will weaken the condom
§ Extreme cold and moisture can damage a condom
§ Don’t use a condom with holes or tears
§ Use water-based lubricants only. Lotions, oils, petroleum jelly, or vaseline should not be used because anything oil-based will tear the condom.
Negotiating Safer Sex and Condom Use
Condom-Use/Safer Sex Role Play: After watching the Peer Educators perform in the role-play, be prepared to discuss what occurred between the characters.
We are going to spend the next few minutes discussing safer sex. Because sex involved you and another person, being as safe as possible requires some discussion or negotiation. When we talk about “safer sex negotiation,” we are describing the act of talking about using protection (condoms) during sex.
Many individuals find this to be very difficult. Others claim it is easier to have sex with someone then to talk about having sex with them. Many individuals can identify a time that they had sex with someone that they barely knew but never managed to discuss condoms with that person.
Discussion Question: Why do you think it is so difficult to talk about condom use with a potential sex partner? Identify some reasons.
WRAP-UP |