Carvaka Sex Toys brings you this latest excellent infographic on STDs. With a growing number of people affected by STDs each year, Carvaka shares the facts about the common STDs such as Syphilis and Chlamydia, symptoms to look out for and most importantly, the preventive measures you can take to keep yourself safe. Check it out below!
Infographic courtesy of Carvaka Sex Toys
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Well December 1st is of course World Aids Day, the day that’s set aside to remember people who are no longer with us because of HIV and AIDS, and to remember those everywhere living with HIV and AIDS.
Now thankfully, more and more people are living well with HIV although they have to stick a life on medications and this isn’t always easy. Let us remember at one time, thousands of our Gay and Bi brothers were dying of HIV related conditions a year.
This year has seen an alarming jump in the number of Gay men testing positive for HIV, and yes as whereas more men are testing for HIV overall and this can account for the rise in some ways, somehow and somewhere men are still taking risks and contracting HIV. I know myself. I have taken risks in the past and I have accepted responsibility for myself in that respect. I am lucky to have tested negative so I am aware of my current HIV status.
There has been a lot of debate in sexual health promotion circles and amongst HIV organisations about the disclosure and negotiations around sex and awareness of ones HIV status. Absolutely awareness of one’s status is important. With awareness comes knowledge and being to make decisions about the sex you want and will have.
Even now with advances in the ways that we can prevent HIV transmission such Prep and Pep. PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and it’s the use of anti-HIV medication that keeps HIV negative people from becoming infected. Pep is Post Exposure Prophylaxis, something guys take if they feel they have been exposed to the virus. There is still fear and stigma about HIV in our communities.
Despite the fact that if an HIV+ gay man is and had an undetectable viral load (amount of HIV present in blood/semen etc.) he is highly unlikely to pass the virus on and if the untested or negative guy is on Prep then research in 4,000 couples has shown that no transmission will take place. A recent survey in the UK revealed 45% of gay men would not sleep with a HIV+ guy. Seriously what’s that about?
This stigma and positive men feeling that they may be rejected by potential partners, because of their HIV status, and this happens to many HIV+ men (and the research in the UK sadly agrees with this). So this is a real barrier to men to talk openly about their HIV status!
I can’t help but wonder; perhaps more can be done to support men to deal with potential rejection? You know to feel, well, if you can’t accept my HIV status or you won’t have sex with me because of my status (and remember there are so many safe sexy things to do with another men, plus advances in prevention that doesn’t involve condoms), then that’s your issue not mine. This is about judging men who do this either; they in some way need support as well. Perhaps when they get reactions along the lines of I’m HIV+, if that’s an issue for you, then sort it yourself and they may go on to look at changing their attitudes. While people remain silent and not talk about it, or disclose it, then the issues remain as men do not get the chance to be challenged around their attitudes to HIV + men or the chance to change their attitudes towards it as well.
We all need support in this and we can all have our own attitudes or worries or concerns about HIV and AIDS. At the moment it’s not going away and men are still contracting HIV, so isn’t it better that we all have a different attitude and willingness to be open about our HIV status, whatever that may be?
Remember, talking about it and challenging people’s ideas, stereotypes or prejudice is the only way we can.
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We have collected your questions on HIV and sexual health, and are delighted to have Caroline Maposphere to answer them below.
Acute HIV infection may present as a ‘flu-like’ illness as the immune system attempts to fight the virus. Some of the signs may include but are not limited to Fever; Sore throat; Tiredness; Diarrhoea; Joint/ muscle pain; Swollen glands; Skin rash. This may then be followed by an asymptomatic stage where one has no obvious signs and symptoms of an illness except for generalized lymphadenopathy (swollen glands).
When correctly and consistently used, condoms have been demonstrated to be effective for HIV prevention. This has been demonstrated both in the laboratory and demographically. Laboratory studies have shown that condoms provide an effective barrier against HIV. Studies have indicated that people who report correct and consistent use of condoms have reduced risk of HIV transmission.
Although safety of lubes has been debated however, it is generally safer to use lubes with condoms than have dry sex which increases the risk of friction and consequent condom tearing or bursting. If the objective of using lubes is to have a condom protected sexual intercourse session, then lubes are safe and help to prevent HIV.
There is no prescribed formula for disclosing one’s HIV status to a partner but having a relationship that allows or is based on open and honest communication is helpful. Bringing a brochure on HIV could be helpful or tuning in to a TV /radio program on HIV and then personalize the discussion might help. One can also make an appointment with a professional counselor/ doctor for their partner and have the professional call the partner.
Once the virus is inside the human body, HIV attacks the body defense system – the immune system which would normally fight off any infections. With a weakened immune system, one can expect to get sick more often and the illnesses to last longer than in a person whose immunity is intact. Because the virus targets cells that are all over the body, all body systems may get affected. The severity of how the systems are affected and at what point in time, depends on one’s nutritional status, other co infections and one’s general health.
Ideally, one should get tested at every routine health check, after every risky exposure to HIV or at least every 3 – 6 months.
Caroline Maposphere is a registered nurse (RN) and a midwife with training in public health and holds a BA in Theology.
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National statistics do show that a good number of Americans do have some knowledge of oral sex. However, at the end of the day, there are still facts out there that none of them do know, in essence. Therefore, with this said, finding new and interesting facts about oral sex can make it all the more fun and interesting in its own way. Read on to learn more about it!
Oral sex is a very common sexual act among teenagers
A lot of teens in the United States are more than likely to have oral sex before vaginal sex. This is because they don’t view it in the same way as they do vaginal sex. They see it as being something less risky, when in actuality; it is just as equally risky as is any other form of unprotected sex.
Oral sex offers pleasure for some couples and stress for others
Oral sex does have a tendency to divide some people as far as their beliefs do go. Sometimes, these beliefs are linked to reactions, which partners do tend to encounter with delivery of oral sex. These partners do worry about the other partner’s reaction and may not want to receive it for this very reason. However, on the flip side, oral sex does indeed bring lots of pleasure to people who do engage in it. It just depends on who is doing it with who and if they feel comfortable doing it.
Unprotected oral sex has its own set of risks
Oral sex does indeed have its own set of risks. This is because it is basically still labeled as being unprotected sex and for this reason it can bring problems. Some of these problems can be STDs amid the many risks. HPV can also be spread via oral sex, and one of the most life threatening of things, which is none other than AIDS. Therefore, oral sex is indeed risky, but for some people the pleasure it does bring is more than worth taking the risk for them.
Should you do unprotected oral sex or not
Oral sex is a personal sex choice. So, only you can answer this question for yourself. Some people want to do oral sex, because they like to do it, simple as that. While there are others out there who have never done it and may want to try doing it. It is a matter of personal choice and that is that. Either you want to do it or you don’t want to. When you decide to do it, however, there are risks that are associated with it just like any other form of sex. You can get an STD from it or other serious repercussions such as AIDS.
Is oral sex tied to throat cancer or not?
It is not oral sex per se that is tied to throat cancer. It is more like the HPV virus that can give a person throat cancer. The HPV virus is something that can be contracted during oral sex. The HPV virus is a common thing, and it can be passed along through sexual contact, even oral sex. However, it doesn’t always cause cancer of the throat, and also of the larynx and tonsils. It just something that can occur because of the human papillomavirus or HPV as it is more popularly known.
Is oral sex just as enjoyable as any other kind of sex or even better?
Oral sex is just as enjoyable as any other sex there is. Nonetheless, there are some factors to consider before you do go engaging in it. There are some people out there who don’t like giving or receiving oral sex. So, with this said, these may just be people who will not find oral sex all that pleasing. Each of us are different when it comes to sex, and with this said, oral sex is not designed with everyone in mind.
Do partners worry about their partner’s reaction to how they give oral sex?
Partners do tend to worry about their partner’s overall reaction when it comes to giving and receiving oral sex. This is because not everyone is into oral sex. Some people like it and others don’t. This is just the law of averages on it. Those who do like it, do it all the time. Others may be curious about it and decide to try it. While there are others who will never try it. So, it depends on you, and if your partner is comfortable with it like you are.
Conclusion:
Oral sex is a very satisfying form of sexual act in its own way. Do you want to enhance it all the more? If the answer is yes, you should endeavor to learn all that you can about it on all fronts. Having some very new and interesting facts about it is the way to go. You can then take what you learn from these facts and apply it to your own love life overall.
Image courtesy of Willo Conner
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