AIDS and Safe Sex

by Pat Morgan

WHAT IS AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

When a person is diagnosed as having AIDS, they are actually in the final stages of an infection by a virus which has resulted in the destruction or near destruction of the body's immune system. In this stage, the person is unable to produce enough of a particular cell subset which is needed to fight certain life threatening opportunistic infections.

The accepted cause of AIDS is a virus which is known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus attacks certain types cells of the body which have on their outer surface receptor sites (CD-4) that enable the virus to latch on. When this happens, the virus is able to enter the cell that it has latched onto and inject its genetic material into the cell causing the cell to turn into a mini-virus replication factory. At the same time, CD-4 receptor sites which have been infected by glycoprotein 160, are the targets in auto immune reaction by the body. At this point, T-4 cells drop in number, and the immune system is in chaos.

As the virus enters these cells, the cells are no longer able to fight infection and eventually they die. When such cells are no longer functional, they wreak havoc on the body. Diseases which were formerly under control, may no longer be under control. Such infections which are known as opportunistic infections, are the cause of death in people with AIDS. When their body needs those cells which are no longer available to fight, a person succumbs to the infection. The cause of death: an opportunistic infection resulting from the destruction of the immune system as caused by Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. People do not die of AIDS; they die from complications arising from the opportunistic infections which have struck.

Infection with HIV is considered to be lifelong. HIV is communicable which means there are specific ways in which a person can be infected with HIV.

1. Through sexual intercourse where the protection (condom and/or spermicide) fails, or where there isn't any protection used. Intercourse may be vaginal or anal. The possibility of HIV being transmitted through cunnilingus or fellatio (oral sex) should also be considered.

2. Through the sharing of IV needles which have not been sterilized. This is the most common way AIDS is transmitted through IV drug abuse.

3. Through blood products or blood for transfusion purposes which has not been tested, or where a test is unable to detect latent antibodies. This incidence is rare in this country, but in some countries, blood and blood products are not tested.

4. From the mother to her unborn child during fetal stages, or through childbirth.

5. From the mother to her born child by breast feeding the child.

These are the recognized ways that AIDS is transmitted as reported by the Centers for Disease Control. AIDS is not transmitted through casual contact. AIDS is not transmitted through insect or animal bites.

There is no need to fear a person who has AIDS or who carries the virus. You may shake their hand, hold them, hug them, embrace them without fear of contracting the virus. Unless you take part in one of the activities listed above or receive tainted blood products or blood, your chances of contracting the virus are incredibly close to zero.

A person with AIDS or a person who carries the virus, should not be discriminated against. Remember, until the diagnosis is made, anyone can be a person with AIDS or be a carrier of the virus. If you know someone who falls into this category, they are going to need you to help cope with the future, to be there for them. We may not be able to cure AIDS, but we can heal using love, care, compassion and education. Declare war on the virus itself, not on people.

GUILDELINES FOR PROTECTION

Lesbians are not immune from AIDS. There are 9 known cases of woman to woman transmission of HIV.

HIV is found in large amounts in cervical muscousa and menstrual blood.

At the present the Centers for Disease Control do not have accurate records on Lesbians and AIDS. Women are routinely excluded from drug trials across the country. A woman must undergo sterilization in order to enter an FDA approved drug trial. There was one drug trial that permitted women to enter. The Ampligen drug trial was halted when the drug was shown to be ineffective against the development of the opportunistic infections which define AIDS. For that trial, out of 300 participants, 20 were female.

Lesbians have been told over and over again that they are a low risk group. There is no such thing as a low risk group. Just people involved in behavior which places them more at risk for the transmission of HIV. Behavior can be modified which can reduce the chances for the transmission of HIV. Safer sex and cleaning needles will curtail the rate of transmission of HIV.

Lesbians often ask if they are at risk for AIDS. The answer is yes if certain behavior is practiced which places them at risk. Such risk is sexual relations with individuals who are positive for antibodies to HIV. Another risk is through the sharing of needles which are not sterilized. The last is through the receiving of blood or blood products which has HIV in it. But this risk is extremely low since blood in the United States and most countries are tested for HIV.

We can protect ourselves by not being afraid to discuss our sexuality and the need for knowlege concerning sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. We have to practice the advice given which cuts down on the transmission of such infections. Through trust and support, each of us can work together and have enjoyable, less risky sexual fun and games.

1. HIV is transmitted through blood, semen (cum) and vaginal secretions including menstrual blood. Play it safe, do not let these fluids enter you or your partner's body through the mouth, vagina (cunt), anus (ass), penis (cock) or cuts in skin. The is no evidence that HIV is transmitted through saliva, sweat, tears, urine. Since feces (shit) can contain blood, consider contact with feces risky.

2. For lesbians considering pregnancy, make sure the sperm is checked through a reliable lab for HIV. There are cases of women developing HIV infection leading to AIDS through artificial insemination. There is also risk for the fetus developing HIV infection.

There are many activities which are considered to be highly safe and show a very low risk in the transmission of HIV.

1. Body to Body rubbing 2. Social (dry) kissing 3. Hugging 4. Voyeurism (look but don't touch!). 5. Exhibitionism 6. Fantasy 7. Costumes 8. Masturbation 9. Finger penetration wearing surgical (latex) gloves or finger cots (individual finger gloves). 10. Individual vibrators or sex toys where a condom and lube are is used and discarded before th 11. Creative sex that does not exchange body fluids.

There are other actvities which are risky. Care and discretion must be used when partaking in the following activities.

1. French (wet, deep tongue) kissing 2. Protected oral sex. (use a latex barrier such as a dental dam which placed between the vulva and the tounge). No studies have been done on the transmission of HIV and the protection given by dental dams. Right now this is all we have. Use spermicidal cream or jelly or best use a lube which contains nonoxynol 9. This spermicide inhibits HIV in the test-tube and has killed HIV in some cases. Be sure to wash the dental dam prior to use to get the powder which may be on the latex off. In addition, check the dental dam for tears or holes. 3. Sexual intercouse with a male where a condom and spermicidal cream jelly is used which contains nonoxynol 9. 4. Wash needles and cookers in 10 parts water and 1 part bleach at least 3 times prior to use. Do not share cotton or water. Do not inject or ingest the bleach/water mix. Do not use it for a douche. It is poisonous. Contact a poison control center if it is taken internally. 5. A dental dam must be used during rimming. (placed between rectum and tounge). Rimming is not advisable. Besides the transmission of HIV, colonic parasites may be transmitted. Do not share the dental dam. Dispose after use. 6. Finger to anus intercourse. Once again the opportunities for transmission of colonic parasites and HIV exists. Use rubber gloves or finger cots. Do not share the gloves. Dispose after use. Wash hands with soap and water to play it safe.

Some activities are considered unsafe. They pose a great risk for the transmission of HIV. Use caution.

1. Unprotected oral sex (especially without a dental dam) during menstruation. In addition unprotected oral sex during a vaginal infection poses a risk in transmitting candida, chlymadia and other venereal diseases.

2. Unprotected rimming. (mouth to anus.)

3. Unprotected hand and vaginal/anal contact. Minor cuts and abrasions on fingers or nails clipped or bitten short can be vectors for transmission of HIV. In addition, Candida (yeast) can easily hide under fingernails. Fungicides are needed to kill it. Soap and water will not do a complete job of killing the Candida.

4. Any activity which can draw blood. (fisting especially without lube and rubber gloves.)

5. Urine or feces in mouth, vagina or hands.

6. Sharing of sex toys that have your partner's fluids on them.

7. Sharing of needles, works, cookers, or any equiptment used for piercing or tatoos.

Finally, we can curtail the spread of HIV infection in our lifetime by educating one another on the dangers and the truth concerning AIDS and HIV infection. We have a responsibilty to future generations to give them a better world. In America, women are the fastest growing group of people with HIV infection and AIDS. AIDS is becoming the primary cause of death for women 24-39 in many urban areas. Women of color make up the majority of people diagnosed. Women cannot get into research programs which enable to get treatment with experimental drugs. In New York City, 1 out of 61 babies born in 1988 was positive for antibodies to HIV. Most children do not live past 5 years of age.

Quality health care for people with AIDS is difficult, it even more difficult for women to obtain it. Housing and social services are scare in some urban areas, it is more difficult in suburban and rural areas. HIV does not discriminate. It can invade any host who does not use care in their sexual relations and drug activities. Heal AIDS with love. Use extreme care and practice safer sex when making love. Don't share needles, remember to clean the old one.

Declare war on the virus, not people with AIDS.

DISCLAIMER

Please feel free to distribute this material. The sysops of the BBS where this information is posted and the author do not take responsibility for the content of this file. Nothing is 100 percent safe. Even the safest activities where meticulous care is taken can fail. Following the above guidelines and using care though will improve the chances that HIV is not transmitted.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact your local health department or AIDS service organization.

Some useful phone numbers for information/assistance:

Public Health Service 1-800-342-AIDS

San Fransisco AIDS Foundation 415-864-4376

Shanti Project 415-777-CARE

People with AIDS Coalition 212-627-1810

Gay Men's Health Crisis 212-807-6655

Community Health Project 212-675-3559* Denise Ribble R.N. works at the CHP. She is one of the top AIDS educators in the country. She may have written the book on safer sex for women.

Lesbian AIDS Project 415-864-8040

Health Education and Resource Organization (HERO) 301-685-1180

Centers for Disease Control 404-329-3311 ext. 3162* Tell them you want them to start compiling statistics on Lesbians and AIDS.

National Association for People with AIDS 202-347-1317