Safer Sex Initiative

MFAP Safer Sex Initiative

• Free HIV testing - Know your status, Get Tested
Locations
Norwalk Health Department (203) 854-7979 Monday - Thursday 9-4pm
Norwalk Community Health Center (203) 899-1770
(Must register as a patient) Monday- Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 4:30pm - 8pm Saturday mornings 8:30am - 12pm
Bridgeport Same Day HIV/STD Testing (203) 873-2035 7am- 4pm Monday - Friday and 8am-12pm on Saturday
Fairfield Same Day HIV/STD Testing (203) 418-4326 7:30am- 4pm closed from 12-12:30 for lunch
Types of testing available
Conventional Blood Tests, Oral Fluid Tests, Rapid Tests, Home Tests, and Urine Tests Importance of Getting Tested Able to take steps to reduce risk of transmission to partners or infants if pregnant or breast feeding Able to seek help and access resources if needed
• Free condoms - No Glove No Love
FREE CONDOMS provided at MFAP
Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Use a Condom
Check the expiration date. Open the wrapper by tearing along one side of the condom wrapper carefully, making sure that the condom is not near the edge because rips and tears can easily occur (DO NOT open with your teeth). Once the penis is erect the condom can be put on the penis. Pinch the tip of the condom and make sure it is rolling in the correct direction. While you are still pinching the tip, roll the condom down the base of the penis. Make sure the condom is sucure during sex. If the condom rolls up, roll it back down or if it comes off, get a new condom and repeat the previous steps. Once ejaculation occurs, remove the penis while it is still errect and hold the base of the condom to ensure that it doesn't slide off. Take off the condom once the penis is completely removed. Make sure all of the ejaculate stays inside the condom and then dispose it in a proper receptacle(DO NOT flush down the toilet)
Why Use a Condom Protect yourself from HIV and STDs Help prevent unwanted pregnancy Help keep you and your partner safe Can make sex more enjoyable because you will have peace of mind knowing that you are being safe
• Information hotline - You Have Questions...We Have Answers
MFAP (203) 855-9535
Norwalk Health Department (203) 854-7979
• Speakers Bureau - Speaking Out Against AIDS
Contact MFAP if interested in having us come and speak to your organization Call MFAP at 203-855-9535 and ask for Stuart to schedule a date and time
• HIV/AIDS brochure - Get the Facts
FREE informational brochures available at MFAP Other resources such as books, magazines and tapes are also available for review
• HIV/AIDS FAQ website - Knowledge is Power
What are the main routes of HIV transmission?
-Unprotected sex with someone who is infected
-Sharing unsterilized needles that have previously been used by someone who is HIV infected
-From an HIV positive mother to her child through birth or breastfeeding
What are the 4 fluids that HIV is transmitted through?
-Blood
-Semen
-Vaginal fluid
-Breast milk
What are fluids that HIV is not transmitted through?
-Saliva
-Urine
-Sweat
-Feces
-Vomit
How safe is oral sex?
Oral sex holds the least risk of the other types of sex (anal and vaginal) but is not classified as "safe sex". Oral sex still poses the risk of HIV and STD transmission. Oral sex can expose a person to Herpes, Genital Warts, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia,Syphilis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C and HIV if blood is present.
Does unprotected anal sex pose more of a risk of becoming infected with HIV than unprotected vaginal sex? Yes. Penetration of the anus can cause tearing and bleeding of the soft tissue, therefore increasing your risk of HIV transmission. Condom use is always recommended during any type of sex, but especially during anal sex to reduce the risk of infections.
Can someone get HIV through contact with an animal such as dogs or cats? No. Hiv is a human virus so it can only be transmitted through humans.
Does circumcision protect against HIV? Circumcision will help reduce your risk of becoming infected with HIV, but will not protect you against the virus. A male's foreskin can trap the HIV virus in a moist environment near the tip of the penis allowing the virus to live longer. The foreskin is also suseptible to tears and rips during intercourse creating a portal for the virus to enter.
What is the HIV testing "window period"? The "window period" is a phrase describing the time between when you become infected with HIV and when your body starts producing antibodies. To elimate and false negatives because of the window period, you are suggested to get tested 3 months after the pontential exposure.
Is it ok for two HIV postive people to have unprotected sex with each other? No. It is possible to get "re-infected" with a different strain of HIV than the one you already have. The new strain might not be controlled by the medication you are taking or may be reistant to other antiretroviral drugs.
• Safe sex awareness - Lets Talk About Sex
What is safe sex?
Safe sex is anything we do to reduce our risk of HIV and STD infection and the precaustions we take to protect ourselves.
How to lower your by practicing safe sex:
Barrier protection, Masturbation/Mutual Masturbation, Phone sex, Cybersex, Fondling, Sex toys, Body-to-body rubbing