The United States Center for Disease Control publishes alarming numbers of HIV cases. Here are their conclusions:
- African-American men account for 43 percent of HIV cases reported among men in 2001.
- African-American women accounted for nearly 64 percent of HIV cases reported among women in 2001.
- A CDC study of Job Corps entrants, ages 16 to 21, found that, compared to their white counterparts, African-American women were seven times more likely to be infected with HIV, and African-American men were four times more likely to be infected.
- In 2000, 38% of women reported with AIDS were infected through heterosexual exposure to HIV.
- Since the epidemic began, injection drug use has directly and indirectly accounted for more than one-third (36%) of AIDS cases in the United States.
- Through December 1998, 109,311 women were reported with AIDS. Of these, 2,220 were reported to have had sex with women; however, the vast majority had other risks (such as injection drug use, sex with high-risk men, or receipt of blood or blood products).
- In 2000, Hispanics represented 13% of the U.S. population (including residents of Puerto Rico), but accounted for 19% of the total number of new U.S. AIDS cases reported.
To help protect yourself from HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases, take the following precautions:
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Ask Questions
You can never ask your partner enough questions about his or her sexual history or current status. This is difficult because it's extremely easy to worry about ruining the mood or turning off your partner. Nonetheless, a few minutes of discomfort is worth your health or your life.
How many guys or girls have you been with?
When was your last HIV test?
What about other STD's
What were the results?
Have you ever been with anyone you knew had HIV or AIDS?
Have you ever had unsafe sex?
Use Protection
Learn how to put on a condom and always use it! Use a dental dam while rimming, which will help safeguard against hepatitis. Sometimes in the heat of the moment your partner may attempt to penetrate without protection. Don't allow any degree of penetration without protection. It doesn't take full insertion to transmit HIV, which only requires the transfer of body fluids.
Don't Transfer Fluids
Be sure to safeguard against your partner's body fluids. STD's can be transferred through them. Make sure your partner's fluids do not come into contact with your body, especially if you have any cuts or abrasions. Wash your hands before and after sex and use a towel to remove the condom, not your hands.
Just Because He Looks "Clean" Doesn't Mean He's Disease Free!
Remember, STD's, especially HIV and AIDS do not discriminate. Just because a guy or girl looks healthy doesn't mean they are not carriers of an infection. Some STD's have little or no side effects, so for your protection assume everyone has a STD and take the necessary precautions. Also, don't let the statistics fool you! Just because one race or gender has an increasing rate of HIV transmission does not mean you are any safer with one of a lesser rate.
