Many men associate drugs with sex. They use 'G' while others use crystal meth, 'Tik", 'khat/cat' or 'coke', and then there's 'nyaope', and "slamming" and for a few guys, all of the above. Some guys use drugs to make them…
Many men associate oral sex with safe sex. Oral sex includes stimulating a penis (blow job) or an anus (rimming) with your mouth.
Oral sex can put you at risk of getting one or more sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
To date there has not been a confirmed case of someone becoming HIV-positive through oral sex (blow job) published in scientific literature. However, it remains possible for transmission to occur if the person performing the blow job has small cuts or sores in his mouth and his partner cums in his mouth. There is no risk of HIV infection for the guy receiving the blow job. Rimming does not pose a risk of HIV infection, provided there is no blood present. Remember that someone who is HIV-positive, on ARV treatment and undetectable poses no risk of passing HIV onto you but other STIs can still can passed on through oral sex.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (usually called PEP) is a course of ARVs (antiretroviral tablets used to treat HIV) given to someone who is HIV-negative after he has had a high risk exposure to HIV. This could be a condom breaking during anal sex, especially if he was the bottom (receptive partner). PEP significantly reduces his risk of becoming HIV-positive.
PEP must be started as soon as possible after the risky sex, and not later than 72 hours. Men who have been raped are likely to need PEP unless they are already HIV positive. The pills must be taken correctly, at the same time every day for one month.
Your immune system protects your body against illness and infections. The most important cells in your immune system are called CD4 cells.
A CD4 count tells us how many CD4 cells there are in a drop of your blood. The higher your CD4 count, the stronger your immune system is.
Your viral load is a measurement of how much the HI virus (the virus that causes HIV) is present in your body. The viral load can go up to millions.
Your CD4 count and viral load influence each other:
Combination prevention is a strategy of combining two or more proven HIV prevention methods that suit your lifestyle. If these methods are used properly, they will either: Reduce your risk of becoming HIV positive and of contracting other sexually transmitted…
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a germ. Common signs of TB in your lungs include coughing, fever and night sweats, feeling very tired and losing weight quickly. People who are HIV positive can get TB more easily. Around the world,…
In most rural areas in South Africa, traditional healers are the preferred and most accessible healthcare providers. A clear distinction needs to be made between the words ‘cure’ and ‘treat’. While a traditional healer may assist in strengthening your immune…
Acute Infection Stage This is the period shortly after someone has been infected with HIV. During this stage the virus is highly concentrated in your body, so you are at higher risk of transmitting HIV to others. Within 2-4 weeks…
What is PrEP? Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention strategy where HIV negative people take medications daily to prevent them from becoming positive if they are exposed to the virus. PrEP has been shown to significantly reduce the risk…
