Being Safe

Being safe means making smart decisions, getting the facts and knowing your partner's status. You cannot tell the HIV status of someone by looking at him or her. Make sure you are regularly tested and that your partner is too.

Safety Tips

In order to reduce the chance of contracting HIV or another sexually transmitted disease, here are some other tips you might consider:

• Communicate honestly about sexual feelings and activities.
• Discuss protection with new partners before having sex.
• Inspect your genital area and the genitals of your partner periodically for any changes in texture, lumps, color, odor or discharge. If you notice a change, refrain from sexual activity until you see a doctor.
• Wash your genital area with soap and water before and after sexual contact. It decreases the risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease.
• Reduce the number of sexual partners with whom you have contact.
• Remember when you have sex with someone, you are essentially having sex with all of that person's previous and current sex partners.
• Be more cautious when you are having sex with people who have several sex partners.