AIDS Part 2 : Sarah Practices Safe Sex

I heard you had a visitor in health class today.

Yes, a nurse from the hospital came in to talk to us about sex.

What did she say?

She talked about HIV and other diseases you can get from having sex.

She must have told you that many people are scared of HIV. Are you scared to have sex with Mohammed?

No. I’ve heard a lot about HIV and how you can catch it during sex. If you protect yourself, you don’t have to catch it.

How do you protect yourself?

When Mohammed and I have sex, he uses a latex condom. HIV is spread through blood, semen or vaginal juices. If you use a condom, the man’s semen won’t get inside you; it’s trapped inside the condom.

Does a condom really protect you against HIV?

You at least reduce your chance of being infected with HIV or any other disease you can get while having sex.

Simon would never use one. He says it takes away the feeling.

That’s what Mohammed said before he used one. Sex still feels as good as it did before.

I would be a little nervous about using a condom.

Using a condom was new to me too. You don’t have to be so serious. Have fun and relax. Hold him, caress him, touch him.

How did you make it fun?

He becomes excited when I help him put on the condom. It becomes part of the sex.

What if I don’t put it on properly?

Don’t worry. If you don’t put it on right the first time, try again. The more times you use condoms the easier it gets. I’ve got a pamphlet the nurse handed out. It shows how to put on a condom. Here, take it and show it to Simon.

How did you get him to use condoms?

It was not easy. We had a long talk. I told him we should be aware of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. I also told him I wanted to have sex with him and I wanted both of us to be protected because I really care for him. You don’t want to die from something that is supposed to give you pleasure. Some people have HIV and they don’t even know it. They feel fine but they can still infect you.

Simon may think I’m afraid that he has HIV.

Make him understand that you want him to wear a condom because you love him and don’t want to see him hurt. Face it. He’s had other girlfriends and he’s probably had sex before. Do you know all these other girls? What about you? You have had sex before. The only way you can prove you are not infected is by taking a test.

I should talk to him. I have to be honest that I have had sex with other men before him. I would be protecting him.

He may tell you about who he’s had sex with and what he may have been exposed to in the past. You only have to have sex once and you can be permanently infected with HIV.

He has heard about HIV. He’s also said he would never let HIV ruin his sex life.

You could tell him you have decided not to let HIV ruin your sex life by choosing to have safe sex. Ask him to try one condom.

What if he says he’ll never try one?

Only you can answer that. I would tell him that I would only see him when he changed his way of thinking.

That is a little harsh.

Not as harsh as telling him he has HIV or getting HIV yourself.

Where would I get condoms?

: My doctor gave me a few. I also went to the family planning centre and got some. I can give you some to start.

Were you embarrassed when you asked for condoms?

Have you heard of anyone dying from embarrassment? I haven’t.

Can I borrow that pamphlet? I think tonight I’ll talk to Simon about what you’ve said.

…Stay tuned for information on how to use condoms…

A latex condom is a rubber sheath which covers the penis during sex. Condoms protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

Open the condom packet and remove the latex condom. Rough, long or jagged fingernails can damage the condom, so be careful. If the male is not circumcised, pull back the foreskin before putting the condom on. Put the condom on before you enter your partner’s body. Squeeze the air out of the tip of the condom, leaving a half inch space at the tip for the semen. While holding the tip, slowly unroll it all the way to the base of the erect penis and smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles. If available, spread a water based lubricant like K.Y. Jelly over the condom for extra lubrication during intercourse. After ejaculation, and before the penis gets soft, hold the condom firmly at the base of the penis and slowly withdraw. Gently pull the condom off the penis. Be careful not to spill any semen. Then throw the condom in the garbage. Remember to always remove the condom before the penis becomes soft and smaller so that the condom won’t slip off and leak.

Always use a new latex condom for every sex act. Lambskin condoms do not protect you as well as latex. Do not keep condoms in direct sunlight or in places where it gets too hot. Heat and sunlight can damage the rubber. Do not use a condom that is discoloured, brittle or dried out. If the package is damaged, torn or already open, or if the date on the package shows the condom to be more than two years old, throw it away. Open the condom package only when you are ready to use it. Lubrication helps to reduce the chance the condom will break. Use water based lubricants like K.Y. Jelly. You should not use condoms with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil. These lubricants weaken the latex.