How HIV is passed on
There are a number of ways that you can reduce your chances of getting infected with HIV, or passing on HIV including:
- using condoms and lube
- being careful when having oral sex
- either you or your partner pulling out before he comes
However, only the first of these is really effective. And even if you use a condom, it's worth knowing what to do if the condom splits. This can help if you have unsafe sex as well.
Condoms and lube
Nothing stops HIV better during sex than condoms. If they're used properly, they shouldn't tear or come off. Here are some tips to help you:
- Use the right size (condoms come in different sizes).
- Make sure the condom is still in date and undamaged.
- Be careful not to tear the condom when you open it.
- Only put the condom on when the penis is fully erect.
- Roll the condom the whole way down the penis.
- Squeeze out any trapped air.
- Use lots of water-based lubricant on the outside of the condom and around the arsehole.
- After about 30 minutes of action, condoms are more likely to tear, so put a new one on.
- When pulling out, grip the base of the condom to make sure it doesn't come off.
For more information about using condoms visit this website: www.chapsonline.org.uk/getiton
Getting free condoms and lube
Condoms are available free at sexual health and HIV clinics, gay men's health organisations, some doctors' surgeries and health centres.
Condoms should also be available at gay venues, but it's best to carry them with you in case they're not.
Oral sex
A small number of men do get HIV from oral sex. You can reduce the risk if:- you and your partner keep cum out of your mouths
- you avoid oral sex if your mouths, throat or gums are sore, damaged, or infected
- you use condoms.
Pulling out before 'coming'
Pulling out before coming means the risk of transmission is less than if you or your partner come inside each other. But there is still some risk because:- it can be hard to control when you come
- HIV can be in pre-cum.
Other ways to reduce the risk
The fewer times you have unprotected sex, the lower the risk is of you becoming infected or passing on HIV. This is because there's less chance of having sex with someone whose HIV status is different to yours.
If you're having unprotected sex you can reduce the risks of infection if you reduce the chances of bleeding. You can do this by being less rough or keeping sex short.
But with all these, there is still risk. Using a condom is the best way to protect yourself and your partner.
If you have unsafe sex or the condom breaks
There is a short time between HIV entering the bloodstream and the infection being permanent. If you are HIV negative taking a treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) during this time it can kill the virus.
PEP works best if you take it within 24 hours of being put at risk. After 72 hours (three days) it is too late.
PEP is a course of anti-HIV drugs that have to be taken for one month. It isn't guaranteed to work, so you shouldn't rely on it as an alternative to using condoms. Also, you may experience side-effects when you take PEP, such as nausea and diarrhoea.
PEP is available free from sexual health clinics and the emergency departments of some hospitals.
If you need help getting PEP or want to find out more about it
Contact THT Direct or visit this website
www.pep.chapsonline.org.uk
Get tested
If you think you've put yourself at risk of catching HIV you might want to consider getting an HIV test.
