HIV Prevention: How can I prevent getting HIV from sex?
HIV is a virus that assaults the body’s natural defence system, the immune system.
If HIV is not treated, a person’s immune system will deteriorate to the point where it will be unable to fight life-threatening infections and diseases.
People living with HIV can live a long and healthy life if they receive treatment.
If left untreated, AIDS is a combination of symptoms and illnesses that occur at the end of HIV infection.
If you test for HIV on a regular basis, you’ll be able to seek antiretroviral therapy if you need it and stay healthy.
What is HIV/AIDS?
HIV is a virus that affects immune system cells (the body’s natural defence against disease). T-helper cells, also known as CD4 cells, are a type of white blood cell in the immune system that the virus destroys and uses to replicate itself.
How can you protect yourself from getting HIV?
The best strategy to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is to use male (external) or female (internal) condoms during intercourse.
Always use a clean needle and syringe while injecting narcotics, and never share equipment.
If you’re pregnant and have HIV, the virus may enter your baby’s body through pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. This danger can be nearly eliminated if HIV medication is administered effectively during pregnancy and nursing.
How can I avoid contracting HIV when having sex?
According to “Avert.org”
Semen (cum and pre-cum), vaginal fluid, blood, and anal mucus are all ways for HIV to spread. Body fluids from one person can transfer into the body of their sexual partner during sex without a condom.
This can happen through the penis, vaginal, and rectum mucous membranes, as well as mouth and throat ulcers.
Only HIV can be caught from someone who is HIV-positive and has a detectable viral load.
Is there a higher risk of HIV with certain types of sex?
Anal Sex and HIV:
Anal sex is the most dangerous sort of sex in terms of catching or transferring HIV. It’s riskier to be the receptive partner (bottom) than it is to be the insertive partner (top).
Because the rectum lining is thin and may allow HIV to enter the body during anal sex, the bottom has an extremely high risk of contracting HIV.
HIV and vaginal sex
Is it possible to contract HIV through vaginal sex? If you have vaginal sex with someone who has HIV and don’t use protection, you can develop HIV (like condoms or medicine to treat or prevent HIV).
When compared to receptive anal sex, vaginal sex poses a lower chance of contracting HIV. During vaginal sex, either partner can contract HIV.
HIV and Oral Sex
Oral intercourse poses minimal to no risk of HIV infection or transmission. There is no danger of HIV transmission from sexual acts that do not entail contact with bodily fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, or blood). Other STDs should be checked for and treated, and you should encourage your partners to do the same.
HIV, sex toys, fingering, and fisting:
According to “Afao.org”
Using your fingers to play with someone’s arse or vagina is a low-risk behaviour for HIV transmission. Trimmed fingernails and thorough hand washing, on the other hand, are recommended to help prevent damage to the anus or vaginal wall, as well as the chance of passing or getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Fisting is when you put your fist in someone’s arse or vaginal area. Fists can cause major injuries in the arse or vaginal lining, allowing HIV to be transmitted if the fisted individual is then penetrated without a condom.
Article source:
https://www.afao.org.au/about-hiv/hiv-prevention/low-no-risk-sexual-practices/
https://www.avert.org/hiv-transmission-prevention/unprotected-sex