What is safe sex?

Transmission of STIs
STIs are usually transmitted by sperm, blood or vaginal fluid and by contact between mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are found in places such as the vagina, penis, rectum and in the mouth. You can contract and pass on an STI infection without knowing.

How to avoid contracting an STI?
If you practise safe sex, your chance of contraIting an STI is small.
Safe sex means:

• Having sexual contact with one long-term partner, one who never has sex with another partner and who does not have an STI;
• Stroking, French kissing, kissing, cuddling, massaging, masturbating or bringing the other to orgasm by hand;
• Using a condom for vaginal intercourse (penis in the vagina);
• Using a condom with extra lubrication for anal intercourse (penis in the anus).

To prevent HIV, if you have oral sex (fellatio and cunnilingus) you need to make sure that no sperm or blood (including menstrual blood) enters the mouth.

To avoid the risk of getting other STIs through oral sex (even though it is a small one), you can always use a condom if the penis is inside mouth, or a dental dam (or condom cut open) for licking the vagina.