What precautions can one take to avoid AIDS through sexual contact?

As mentioned earlier with a potentially infected partners “prevention is the only cure”. However, precautions that one may take to reduce the risk of transmission are:

  1. Avoid sex with individuals who are in a ‘high risk’ group such as - male and female prostitutes, homosexuals, bisexuals, people with multiple partners, individuals who have had sexual contact with an AIDS patient, hemophiliacs, patients on renal dialysis, intravenous drug abusers etc.
  2. Avoid sex with multiple partners especially with unknown/casual partners.
  3. Avoid sexual activities that lead to exchange of body fluids as, this is risky (the virus has been isolated from the saliva, blood, semen, tears and urine of infected individuals). Therefore avoid oral sex, peno-vaginal sex and peno-rectal sex.
  4. Use condoms during sex as they reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.

What are safe sexual practices for uninfected individuals?

Uninfected individuals should avoid all sexual practices that involve exchange of body fluids, when indulging in sexual activity with potentially infected partners. They may safely indulge in non- oral and non-coital sexual practices such as fondling, stimulation of erogenous zones, sensate focus exercises, mutual or self-masturbation, penetration alternatives such as intercourse between the thighs, inter mammary intercourse etc. An orgasm is an orgasm, and is equally satisfying by whatever means it is achieved.