| • |
AIDS can be
passed on to your spouse or to your unborn
child. |
| • |
If you have AIDS, you
may have picked up other sexually transmitted
infections, such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia,
genital herpes and genital warts along the
way. You may have passed these on to your
spouse or partner as well. Gonorrhoea causes
uncomfortable symptoms, chlamydia can lead
to infertility in females, genital herpes
infection is lifelong and genital warts increase
the risk of cervical cancer in females. |
| • |
AIDS strains family relationships.
Your spouse, parents and children may be angry,
hurt and ashamed if AIDS is caused by irresponsible
behaviour on your part. |
| • |
Having AIDS is a huge
financial burden. The drugs used to keep it
under control are expensive. Hospitalisation
due to recurrent infections adds to the cost.
Your family also has to support you when you
are too weak to continue working. |
| • |
AIDS will eventually make
you so ill that you need to depend on others
for help. The stress on your caregiver would
be enormous. |
| • |
Avoid casual
sex at all times. |
| • |
Don’t assume it is safe
to have sex with someone just by his or her
looks. You cannot tell if someone is infected
just by their looks. Anyone can have AIDS. |
| • |
Be faithful to one partner
who is faithful to you. This is the best way
to guard against AIDS. However, make sure
both of you are honest about your past relationships. |
| • |
Be careful in high-risk
situations. Examples are when you are overseas
and when you have had too much to drink. Do
not be tempted into casual sex away from home.
Be wary of alcohol —
it can cloud judgement so that you are more
likely to indulge in casual sex. |
| • |
Be careful if you plan
to have a tattoo or get your ears pierced.
Go only to reputable places which use sterile
equipment and single use, disposable needles. |
| • |
Use condoms if you choose
to engage in casual sex. Condoms, when used
consistently and properly, help to reduce
the risk of HIV. However they are not 100%
effective. It is best to avoid casual sex
all together. |
