AIDS High Risk No Risk
Unprotected anal sex is the riskiest sexual behavior, especially for the receptive partner.
Unprotected vaginal intercourse is the next riskiest, especially for women, who are much more likely to be infected by an infected male partner than vice versa.
Oral sex is probably considerably less risky than anal and vaginal intercourse but can still result in HIV transmission.
Sharing of sex toys can be risky because they can carry blood, semen, or vaginal fluid.
Use of a condom reduces risk considerably but not completely for any type of intercourse. Anal sex with a condom is riskier than vaginal sex with a condom; oral sex with a condom is less risky, especially if the man does not ejaculate.
Hand-genital contact and deep kissing are less risky but could still theoretically transmit HIV; the presence of cuts or sores increases risk.
Sex with only one uninfected and totally faithful partner is without risk but effective only if both partners are uninfected and completely monogamous.
Activities that don’t involve the exchange of body fluids carry no risk: hugging, massage, closed-mouth kissing, masturbation, phone sex, and fantasy.
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Abstinence is without risk. For many people, it can be an effective and reasonable method of avoiding HIV infection and other STDs during certain periods of life. complications and consequences of the disease. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious infection that can cause infertility. PID is discussed later in this chapter.
Chlamydia can also lead to infertility in men, although not as often as in women. In men under age 35, chlamydia is the most common cause of epididymitis inflammation of the sperm-carrying ducts. (See Figure 14.3 and Figure 14.4 for basic information about male and female sexual anatomy.) In men, up to half of all cases of urethritis inflammation of the urethra are caused by chlamydia.
Symptoms Most people experience few or no symptoms from chlamydia infection, increasing the likelihood that they will inadvertently spread the infection to their partners. In men, symptoms can include painful urination, a slight watery discharge from the penis and sometimes pain around the testicles.
Women may notice increased vaginal discharge, burning with urination, pain or bleeding with intercourse, and lower abdominal pain. Because infection rates are high and most women are asymptomatic, annual screening is recommended for sexually active young women.
Diagnosis and Treatment Chlamydia is diagnosed through a urine test or laboratory examination of fluid from the urethra or cervix. After chlamydia has been diagnosed, the infected person and his or her partner(s) are given antibiotics usually doxycycline, erythromycin, or a newer drug, azithromycin, which can cure chlamydia in a single dose. It is important for the infected person’s partner to be tested and treated. If a one-dose treatment is used, couples should wait seven days after taking their medication to resume sexual activity. The CDC now recommends that
