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Nobody wants to die for sex. Safer sex is always the best choice and you'll be much more relaxed and less worried by following or safer sex advice.
What do we mean by safer sex?
Safer sex means making sure you don't get anyone else's blood or
semen in your body -- and protecting your partner's body too! If you are also engaged in sex with women, you need to be concerned about vaginal fluids and breast milk in your body. Condoms, latex
surgical gloves, and plastic wrap are the only ways to protect yourself and your partner from STDs and HIV, but they're not foolproof. You've got to use them correctly every time you have sex. Remember
we are talking about safer sex, not safe sex. Totally safe sex means abstinence, masturbation or cybersex.
 Condoms
The best condoms for anal intercourse are lubricated latex condoms. There are other kinds of condoms on the market as well. Lambskin condoms are not recommended because their
structure allows HIV and STDs to pass through the condom walls. Polyurethane condoms are a good alternative if you are allergic to latex but they are not as strong.
Using plenty of lubricant will make things go smoother and reduce the pain of anal sex. See our advice on How to put on a condom, Types of condoms, the Do's and Don'ts of condom use, and How do I insist my partner use condoms and practice safer sex
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When should I use a condom?
If you plan to suck your partner's dick (blowjob) put a condom on it first. Do not use a lubricated condom for this purpose as they taste
bad. Flavored condoms or flavored lubes are best for this. Don't get semen (cum) in your mouth as you can get an STD or HIV that way. With any small cuts or sores in your mouth, even from brushing your
teeth, there is a risk of HIV from the semen getting into your blood stream.
If you are using a sex toy like a vibrator or dildo, put a condom on that also.
Other latex barriers
Plastic wrap
If you are going to be licking your partner's butthole (rimming), cover it
with plastic wrap first. You could also use a condom cut down the side and opened flat for this purpose. This puts barrier between your tongue and the anus to keep you away from
harmful bacteria and STDs. Better yet use a dental dam which is a square piece of latex that you can use just like plastic wrap but it is stronger and less likely to break. You
can get dental dams at condom stores, and some drugstores and pharmacies.
Latex gloves
If you are putting your fingers in your partner's butthole (finger fucking) make sure your fingernails are trimmed very short. This is safe as long as you don't have any cuts or sores on your hands.
This is also true of inserting your fist into your partner's butthole (fisting). Still a safer way is to wear a latex surgical glove with lots of water-based lube. These are available at drugstores.
 Using Needles
Sex is not the only way to get HIV. If you shoot drugs using needles (syringes) you are also at risk. Be
sure to use a clean needle, spoon, etc every time you shoot up. Don't share needles. Dispose of used needles where they won't come in contact with children or innocent passersby.
If you don't have any clean needles, try to find a needle exchange program in your area. As a last resort you can clean your needle using new bleach. Draw the bleach
into the syringe and wait one minute before shooting the bleach down the drain. Repeat this about 5 times to be sure the needle has been thoroughly disinfected. You need to remove every little bit
of blood from the syringe.
HIV/AIDS
 HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus believed to cause AIDS (Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome). On fifth of people who find out they have AIDS are in their twenties. These people likely got HIV when they were in high school because it
can take years for an HIV positive person to develop AIDS. See our sections on AIDS and also on HIV/AIDS
This is how you can get HIV:
having anal (or vaginal) "intercourse" without a condom
licking someone's dick (or clit) without a condom or plastic wrap
sharing needles
from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, and breast feeding
receiving a blood transfusion (HIV is rarely transmitted this way anymore)
You can't get HIV from:
kissing, sweat, tears
hugging
food
toilet seats
swimming pools
giving blood
What are the treatments for HIV/AIDS?
Currently there is no cure for AIDS but there are treatments. The
treatments often involve taking "cocktails" of different drugs to try to reduce the amount of virus in their blood stream. Often dozens of
different pills must be taken many times a day without failure and this strict drug regimen must be followed religiously. The long term results are variable but not overly positive. Some people simply do
not benefit from the drugs or their body cannot tolerate the drugs.
Is HIV/AIDS the only worry?
Definitely not! Other STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis,
human papilloma virus and genital herpes are very worrisome and dangerous. For more information on these, see our health section: Checkup Time for sexually transmitted diseases
Again the best advice is nobody has a body worth dying for. Practice safe sex EACH and EVERY time you
engage in sexual activity with another person. Be safe rather than sorry.
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