Safe sex
Safe sex is any sexual activity that prevents semen (cum), pre-cum, vaginal fluid, rectal fluid or blood from entering the bloodstream of another person.
Condoms used with water-based lubricant can prevent these fluids from entering the body during vaginal or anal sex. Anal or vaginal sex without condoms remains the highest risk sexual activity for transmitting HIV.
Oral sex is a very low risk activity. There is not enough evidence to specify the exact risk of HIV transmission during one episode of oral sex. The risk increases if there are cuts or sores in the mouth, allowing HIV to enter. For more information, check out our page on Oral Sex.
See also
- Condoms
- Anal sex and risk reduction
- Taking a Look: HIV prevention for gay men today
- Real Time: A workbook for gay men about making healthier choices
- HIV Positive Gay Sex (PDF 1.951 MB)
- The Dirty Truth: A book for HIV-positive men about STIs
- Sex and HIV positive women
- FAQs about HIV
- HIV disclosure
- The Body: An AIDS and HIV Information Service. Includes information in languages other than English
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