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Safer sex is any kind of sexual activity that reduces the chances of becoming infected with HIV or transmitting HIV, or other sexually transmitted blood borne infections (STBBIs). Many activities – such as hugging, kissing, massage and touching – are completely safe for HIV transmission. No one has ever gotten or passed on HIV from these sexual activities. However, it’s possible to get or pass on certain other STBBIs from these activities. Anal or vaginal sex without a condom is an easy way to become infected, or to pass on HIV and other STBBIs. These activities are considered “high risk” sexual activities for HIV transmission. They can be made much safer by using a condom and water-based lubricant. For other sexual activities, the chances of getting, or passing on HIV are small. These activities (like oral sex) are considered “low risk” for HIV. For more information about Safer Sex please take a look at the Safer Sex Guide. http://librarypdf.catie.ca/PDF/ATI-20000s/26536.pdf We provide condoms and lube free of charge to any individual engaging in sexual activity.  Stop by our office at 844a Princess Street, Kingston to pick some up. Videos The videos below were created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and are not safe for work. More videos and information can be found at www.thesexyouwant.ca    This video on Condoms was created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and is not safe for work. This video on Undetectable Viral Load was created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and not safe for work. This video on Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) was created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and not safe for work. This video on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) was created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and not safe for work.

What HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks your body’s defence against disease and illness by infecting the very cells which would normally fight off infection. Anyone can be infected with HIV. You can have HIV without knowing it. You may not look or feel sick for years, but you can still pass the virus on to other people. Without treatment, HIV can progress and cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of infection. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a clinical diagnosis that indicates the most advanced stage of an HIV infection. At this point your immune system becomes too weak to fight off serious illnesses and can lead to life-threatening infections. How HIV is passed from one person to another through 5 body fluids: blood semen (including pre-cum) rectal fluid vaginal fluid breast milk An infection happens when one of these fluids that contain HIV enters the bloodstream through broken skin or the wet linings of the body (vagina, rectum, foreskin). HIV cannot pass through healthy, unbroken skin. It is not passed by hugging, kissing, toilet seats or insects. The most common ways HIV is passed from one person to another are: through sex by sharing injection equipment It can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. Find more details on HIV transmission, testing and treatment at CATIE: http://www.catie.ca/en/basics/hiv-and-aids#better Video This video was created by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, and is not safe for work. More videos and information can be found at www.thesexyouwant.ca