Exhibition Board

Board 1. Understanding SAFER Sex

Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS PREVENTION

Board 2. General knowledge on Sexually Transmitted Infections (1)

1. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact.
2. Avoid having sex with a person of unknown sexual background.
3. Proper use of condom can reduce the chance of getting STIs.
4. You cannot prevent STIs by bathing, douching, local application, taking pills or drug injection before or after sexual contact.

Board 3. General knowledge on Sexually Transmitted Infections (2)

I think I got Sexually Transmitted Infection.

1. The symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections may not be obvious. You should go to seek for doctor's advice if you have any query.
2. Sexually Transmitted Infections can cause damage to the body.
   - Brain, Eyes, Heart, Bone, Sexual organs
   - Sexually Transmitted Infections can affect the sexual organs and other parts of the body.
3. A pregnant woman with STIs can transmit the infection to her newborn through pregnancy and delivery.
4. Both sexual partners should receive medical check up and treatment to prevent cross infection.

Board 4. AIDS (1)

What is AIDS?

AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a disease caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Routes of Transmission

1. Sexual contact
   Sexual intercourse with an infected person, including vaginal, oral and anal sex.
2. Blood contact
   Sharing needles or transmitted by contaminated blood and blood products.
3. Mother to baby
   From an infected mother to her baby through pregnancy, delivery and / or breastfeeding.

Board 5. AIDS (2)

Prevention

AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a disease caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Routes of Transmission

1. Avoid having sex with a person of unknown sexual background.
2. To reduce the chance of being infected, adopt safer sex practice and proper use of condom.
3. Do not share needles and syringes.
4. In case of suspected infection, a woman should take an HIV antibody test before pregnancy. This can prevent mother-to-baby transmission.
5. Proper handling of wounds. Avoid direct blood contact.

How do I know if I have been infected?

To take an HIV antibody test

Attention:

It may take up to 3 months before enough quantities of HIV antibodies can be picked up by an HIV antibody test. In order to get a reliable result, the HIV antibody test must be done 3 months after the suspected contact. Test that is done during this time called the "window period", may generate a false negative result.

Board 6. Understanding Safer sex

Safer sex means taking prevention to avoid blood, seminal fluid or vaginal fluid from entering into both partners during sexual intercourse. It can reduce the chance of getting STIs and AIDS.

Unsafe Sex

• Sexual intercourse (oral sex, anal sex, and vaginal sex) without wearing a condom
• Direct contact with menstrual blood during sexual contact
• Sharing of sexual toys without disinfection

Safer Sex

• French kisses
• Using condom for vaginal sex and anal sex
• Using condom or dental dam for oral sex

Safe Sex

• Masturbation
• Mutual masturbation
• Body exposure and watching
• Caressing
• Licking of skin
• Dry kisses

Note: Untreated sexually transmitted infections and / or skin lesions increase the chance of contracting AIDS

Protect yourself and your partner by:

• Adopt safer sex behaviour
• Proper use of condom

Board 7. Proper use of male condom

1. Put the condom on as soon as the penis erects before making any sexual contact.
2. Use a new condom for each sexual contact.
3. Use a water based lubricant if needed.
4. Store the condom in a cool and dry place.
5. Check the expiry date every time before use.
6. Open the individual packet carefully. Avoid damaging the condom with fingernails or rings.
7. Hold the tip of the condom to squeeze out the air. Put the condom on the end of your erected penis.
8. Unroll the condom all the way down to the pubic hair
9. Soon after ejaculation, hold on the rim of the condom and pull out while the penis is still erect.
10. Carefully remove the condom. Avoid contact with the seminal fluid.
11. Wrap the used male condom well with tissue and dispose into the trash.

Board 8. Proper use of female condom

A female condom consists of 2 rings. The outer ring covers the area around the opening of the vagina and prevent the condom slipping in. The inner ring is used for insertion and helps to hold the sheath in place.

Proper use of female condom

1. Check the expiry date. Open the packet carefully. Do not use sharp cutters such as scissors.
2. Hold the inner ring between thumb and middle finger.
3. Squeeze the inner ring. Insert the sheath into the vagina as far as it will go.
4. Push the inner ring up until it passes the pubic bone and the inner ring is then in its right place.
5. The inner ring should be outside the vagina and close contact with the labia.
6. After intercourse, twist the outer ring before pulling out the condom to avoid spillage of the semen.
7. Wrap the used female condom well with tissue and dispose into the trash.

Board 9. Be safe, Seek medical advice early

If you are not sure whether you are infected with STIs / HIV, you can go to any one of the Social Hygiene Clinics of the Department of Health for check up, treatment and counselling. These services are free of charge. No booking and referral are needed. All information are kept confidential.

You can obtain the fax for addresses and opening hours of Social Hygiene Clinics, Department of Health through

• AIDS Hotline 2780 2211

or surf the following websites:

• http://www.aids.gov.hk
• http://www. 27802211.com

You can also call the AIDS Hotline 2780 2211 to listen to the information on AIDS and STIs, or reach a nurse counsellor for enquiry and an appointment of HIV antibody test.

Although you had been contracted with STI before or you are already infected with HIV, still you should insist in proper use of condom for safer sex. This is an effective way to reduce the chance of controlling other STIs and HIV opportunistic infections. Also, it can avoid transmitting the diseases to your partner and to the new born from an infected mother.

Department of Health AIDS Unit
Email: aids@dh.gov.hk
Website: http://www.aids.gov.hk
Tel: 2780 2211 (AIDS Hotline)
Fax: 2780 9580

Board 10. It's our concern, let's prevent AIDS

If you have the following problems towards STI / AIDS:

• Lack of knowledge
• Misunderstanding
• Misconception

  You may have a chance of getting the infection.

But if you can:

• Increase your understanding
• Face the fact
• Correct misconception
• Be cautious

  You can protect your family and yourself from being infected by Sexually Transmitted Infections / AIDS

STIs and AIDS are preventable. The effective ways of prevention are:

1. Avoid having unprotected sex (include oral, anal and vaginal sex) with a person you do not know his / her sexual background
2. Consistent and proper use of condom for safer sex.
3. If in doubt, attend the Social Hygiene Clinics of Department of Health for arrangement of check up; or dial the AIDS Hotline 2780 2211 for an appointment of HIV antibody test.

2780 2211 no caller display

Produced by Red Ribbon Centre - UNAIDS collaborating Centre for Technical Support