NAPWA

A viral loadA measurement of the quantity of HIV RNA in the blood. Viral load blood test results are expressed as the number of copies (of HIV) per milliliter of blood plasma. test measures the concentration of free virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. in the blood. ‘Free’ means the HIV that is not inside cells. The higher the viral load, the more active HIV is considered to be. read more »

If your partner is exposed to HIV during sex through unprotected intercourse or a broken condom there is a treatment option available that may prevent infection. PEP involves taking a combination of at least two anti-HIV drugs for 28 days. As with other HIV treatment regimes, PEP must be taken at strict times of the day. read more »

While recreational drugs, the most universal one being alcohol, can help us to relax socially and make it easier to initiate sexual liaisons, they don’t necessarily improve the choices we make. We are all familiar with the morning-after scenario and the remorseful “I must have been sooo out of it” excuse. read more »

Relationships can be safe places where we exchange support, love and intimacy. They can also be hard work. For some men the HIV status of their partner is insignificant; for others it is an important factor. read more »

Safe sex is any sexual contact which avoids semen, blood or vaginal fluid getting into the bloodstream of another person, and therefore includes sex which does not transmit HIV. Although practising safe sex will prevent transmission of HIV, it may not protect you from some STIs[Sexually Transmissible (or Transmitted) Infection] Infections spread by the transfer of organisms from person to person during sexual contact. Also called venereal disease (VD) (an older public health term) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). – like gonorrhoea, or Hepatitis A. read more »

It’s not always easy to relax and just get into sex. Especially if you may be thinking about how to tell him you’ve got HIV while you’re worrying about infecting him and maybe feeling a bit queasy having just had your pills. When you think about it, it’s amazing anyone with HIV has sex at all. But we do. And a lot of us do it well. Sex is simply something most of us can’t, and needn’t, live without. read more »

Although safe sex may decrease the risk of transmission of some STIs[Sexually Transmissible (or Transmitted) Infection] Infections spread by the transfer of organisms from person to person during sexual contact. Also called venereal disease (VD) (an older public health term) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). , there are other significant ways in which STIs can be transmitted. Herpes and HPV (the virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. associated with genital warts) can be transmitted even if condoms are used. Hepatitis A, gut and bowel infections, and the virus that is thought to be associated with Kaposi’s Sarcoma can be passed on through rimming. read more »

When two positive men get together the question of whether to remove condoms from the scene will often arise. Many positive men do not use condoms with other positive partners. Following is a review of some issues to consider and how to minimise risks. read more »

A person with HIV who transmits the virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. to another, or exposes another person to the risk of HIV transmission, may have broken the law.  read more »

If you think you have been exposed to HIV, there is, in a few places, a treatment available that may prevent HIV infection.This is called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP. read more »