Sexual Health

Condoms are the only way to reduce the risk of infection during sexual activities with an infected person.
If you're going to have sexual intercourse and you can't be sure your partner is free from infection - use a condom.

	Sexual health for men is about:
	Looking after yourself Looking after your partner Keeping healthy
	Help
	Your local Sexual Health Clinic will provide a confidential free service, offering: Condoms HIV testing and care Counselling Psychosexual help Hepatitis B Vaccination Impotence Care Rape care and support Needle exchange
	Prevention
	Condoms are the only way to reduce the risk of infection during sexual activities with an infected person. If you're going to have sexual intercourse and you can't be sure your partner is free from infection - "use a condom".
	Further information
	HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is an unusual virus because a person can be infected for several years without appearing ill. The virus multiplies gradually within the body destroying its ability to fight off diseases. The virus kills off white blood cells which form part of the body's immune system. HIV is found in the sexual fluids of an infected person. An infected man can pass on the virus through the semen during sexual activities into their partner's blood stream through a cut or sore inside their body. Anal intercourse has a higher risk then vaginal intercourse as the lining of the rectum is more delicate and therefore more likely to become damaged during sexual activities. Infected sexual fluids from a woman could pass into a man's blood stream through a cut or sore on the penis.
	Recommended web sites
	HIV and AIDS Comprhensive article on the BBC website National AIDS Trust Terrence Higgins Trust