Preventing+AIDS



By Marysia Chodzen
 * Preventing AIDS**

My topic is about how to prevent AIDS. People do not always know how to prevent it, so that's why I will tell you the most important things you should do to keep yourself away from getting AIDS. -Sexual Hygiene -Physical Barriers -Behavioral Barriers

AIDS can spread to you by: · having oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected person · receiving blood from an infected person · sharing needles with an infected person, such as in drug usage or tattoos · AIDS does not get transmitted in casual contact such as shaking hands etc.


 * Sexual Hygiene:**

Hygiene is the practice of following certain health rules and sexual hygiene means avoiding the exchange of body fluids during sexual activity. Meaning that, semen, vaginal substances, blood, urine, feces, saliva, tears, and mother's milk from one person should not be placed into the mouth, nose, eyes, ears, vagina, anus, or open wounds of another person. Even the hands often have microscopic wounds around the fingernails.


 * Physical Barriers:**


 * Condoms**: Using condoms can reduce the risk of catching or transmitting the HIV virus. But this does not mean that condoms will always keep you away from getting HIV because there is always a risk that the condom is torn or has little cracks in some way. Condoms can break open during sexual activity or slip off. When condoms break, it is usually because of the lack of being smooth and slippery (lubrication). Condom lubrication is very important in preventing the condom to break. Condoms should be put on while erection occur or before ejaculation. Practice condom use before starting sexual activity.


 * Contraceptive Jellies and Spermicides**: Contraceptive means "preventing pregnancy." Spermicides are chemicals that kill sperm. By using both condoms and contraceptive chemicals, pregnancy risk approaches zero. The right use of both should reduce the risk of catching HIV.


 * How Contraceptive Jellies and Spermicides Work:**




 * Behavioral Barriers:**


 * Absistence:** Not having sex, is the safest sexual behavior. Perhaps it is the best advice for young people, is to save the wonderful thing called sex for someone special with who you really want to share it.


 * Sex Education:** Many people do not receive enough education about sex and reproduction.


 * Not Wanting to Use Condoms:** Many people simply do not want to use condoms. Both men and women say that condoms interfere with sexual pleasure by reducing sensation, or by interrupting the sexual act. Also people are embarrassed to buy condoms.

These are many things that can prevent you from getting the HIV virus. If you want to find more, check out my sources.

media type="youtube" key="me04x_pD5Yw&rel=1" height="355" width="425" Video on Preventing Sexual Transmission


 * __Sources:__**

WebPages: http://www.aproposinc.com/hap/prevent.htm, http://www.hoptechno.com/book52.htm, http://safest-sex.desert.net/safest-sex/, http://www.apa.org/pi/aids/major.html, http://www.anytestkits.com/aids-spreading-hiv-virus.htm

Videos: http://youtube.com/watch?v=me04x_pD5Yw

Pictures: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/adam/images/en/barrier-methods-of-birth-control-diaphragm-picture.jpg http://tecfa.unige.ch/tecfa/research/humanities/AIDS-campaign/stopAidsLogoSmall.gif http://img.thebody.com/legacyAssets/48/17/condoms.gif http://www.medpagetoday.com/upload/2006/11/6/4449.jpg http://www.flybenji.org/images/no-sex-480.gif http://www.condomprotection.com/images/page_images/matchbook%20samples.jpg http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/816436/2/istockphoto_816436_colorful_condoms.jpg