Sexual practices: what's safe and what's not

Some sexual practices are indeed safe, and carry no risk of infecting the participants with the HI-virus. However, other practices are associated with a high risk of HIV infection. How safe are your sexual practices?

The type of bodily fluid involved as well as the number of sexual partners you have determines the extent of risk involved in sexual practices.

Since the highest concentration of the HI-virus is found in blood, semen, pre-cum and vaginal secretions, sexual activities involving these bodily fluids are more risky than contact with saliva, tears, urine and sweat, that have low concentrations of the HI-virus.

Obviously the risk will increase with the numbers of partners you have who are, or have been, involved in unprotected sexual practices.

No risk
The following sexual behaviour involves no risk and can be regarded as safe:

• Abstinence
• Erotic massage
• Hugging
• Body rubbing
• Kissing
• Petting
• Showering or bathing together
• Masturbation
• Mutual masturbation - providing there is no contact between broken skin and semen or vaginal fluids
• Thigh sex
• Sexual fantasies
• Phone sex
• Using your own personal sex toys

If this describes the sum total of your sexual practices, you do not need to worry about HIV/Aids.

Low risk
The following sexual behaviour is regarded as safe, but is still associated with a low risk of HIV/Aids:

• Oral sex on a man (fellatio) who is wearing a condom.
• Oral sex on a woman (cunnilingus) with a latex barrier.
• Anilingus (oral-anal sex) with a latex barrier.
• Contact with urine ("golden showers" or "water sports" on unbroken skin).

If you participated in one of these acts, you are still practicing "safer" sex, but with no absolute guarantee of zero risk. Opt for an HIV-test to put your mind at rest, and try to avoid "some-risk", "high-risk" and "very high-risk" behaviours.

Some risk
These sexual acts are associated with some risk of HIV/Aids. They can be regarded as "fairly safe", but not without some risk:

• Oral sex (on a man or woman) without a condom or latex barrier.
• Vaginal penetration with a condom.
• Anal penetrative sex with a condom. It is safer to withdraw before ejaculation.

Is this an accurate description of your sex life? Then you are at some risk of contracting HIV/Aids. Opt for an HIV-test to put your mind at rest, and try to avoid "high-risk" and "very high-risk" behaviour.

High risk
Unfortunately, many sexual practices are associated with a high risk of HIV/Aids. These include:

• Vaginal penetration without a condom
• Swallowing semen
• Sharing uncovered sex toys
• Vaginal or oral penetrative sex with a condom if using a petroleum-based lubricant
• Unprotected oral contact if blood is present
• Unprotected manual-anal intercourse (fisting) without a latex glove
• Unprotected manual-vaginal intercourse (fisting) without a latex glove
• Contact with menstrual blood

Many people still don't realise that these practices are risky. They are. If you have been involved in any of these acts with anybody else than a very faithful partner, an HIV/Aids test is highly recommended. You may be one of the lucky ones and still be HIV-negative. You may not be. But even then, try to avoid "high risk" behaviour in future: there is more than one HI-virus and there is no need to get them all. With good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, many people live with the virus for 15 years or longer.

Very high risk
There is sexual behaviour associated with a very high risk of HIV/Aids. These include:

• Anal penetrative sex without a condom.
• Unprotected anal contact if blood is present

If this is a true description of your sexual behaviour, you are at an extremely high risk to contract HIV/Aids. A test to determine your HIV status is essential, as well as real changes to your sexual behavioural. Since there is more than one HI-virus, try to avoid "high-risk" and "very high-risk" behaviour. With good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, many people live with the virus for 15 years or longer. - (Liesel Powell/Health24, updated 2010)