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A I D <br /> <br />A I D S <br /> <br />Although the AIDS virus is found in several body fluids, a <br />person acquires the virus during sexual contact with an <br />infected person's blood or semen and possiblyvaginal <br />secretions. The virus then enters a person's blood stream <br />through their rectum, vagina or penis. <br /> Small (unseen by the naked eye) tears in the surface <br />lining oft. he vagina or rectum may occur during insertion <br />of the penis, fingers, or other obiects, thus opening an <br />avenue for entrance of the virus directly into the blood <br />stream; therefore, the AIDS virus can be passed from penis <br />to rectum and vagina and vice versa without a visible tear <br />in the tissue or the presence of blood. <br /> <br />Prevention of Sexual l?an.rmi.~on - <br />Know Your Partner <br /> <br />Couples who maintain mutually faithful monogamous rela- <br />tionships (only one continuing sexual panner) are pro- <br />tected from AIDS through sexual transmission. If you have <br />been t~Jthful for at least live years and your panner has <br />been hithful too, neither of you is at risk. lfyou have not <br />been faithful, then you and your partner are at risk. If your <br />partner has not been faithful, then your parmer is at risk <br />which also puts you at rise This is true for both hetero- <br />sexual and homosexual couples. Unless it is possible to <br />know with absolute certain~y that neither you nor your <br />sexual partner is carrying the virus of AIDS, you must <br />use protective behavior, Absolute certainty mem~.s not only <br />that you and your panner have maintained a mutually lkith- <br />ful monogamous sexual relationship, but it means that <br />neither you nor your partner has used illegal intravenous <br />drugs. <br /> <br />AIDS: you can protect yourself from infection <br /> <br />Somepersonal measures are adequate to safely <br /> protect <br />yourself and others from infection by the AIDS virus <br />and its complications. Among these are: <br />· If you have been involved in any of the high risk sexual <br />activities described above or have injected illicit intra- <br />venous drugs into your body, you should have a blood <br />test to see ifyou have been infected with the ADS virus. <br /> <br />· If your test is positive or if you engage in high risk activ- <br /> ities and choose not to have a test) you should tell your <br /> sexual parmer. Ifyou jointly decide to have sex, you must <br /> protect your partner by always using a rubber (condom) <br /> during (start to finish) sexual intercourse (vagina or <br /> rectum). <br /> <br />· If your partner has a positive blood test showing that he/ <br /> she has been infected with the AIDS virus or you suspect <br /> that he/she has been exposed by previous heterosexual <br /> or homosexual behavior or use of intravenous drugs <br /> with shared needles and syringes, a rubber (condom) <br /> should always be used during (start to finish) sexual <br /> intercourse (vagina or rectum). <br /> <br />16 <br /> <br /> <br />