We all have to do our best to keep ourselves and others safe in this community. A lot of the activities we undertake have visual and verbal warnings to alert us to dangers with regard to physical harm. However, viruses and contagion are not as obvious as bruises and safe words and so additional precautions are needed.
It would be ideal if we could just ask our potential partner if they are free from infection. Some may believe they are when they are not, some may just lie and say they are, some may be in denial. It is too much of a lottery to just ask and trust in the response.
Whilst a person knows his or her own sexual history they cannot be certain of their partner's record nor of the history of the people the partner has encountered so the risk is unknown each time.
The following pages explain transmission routes for these as well as offering advise and guidelines for keeping yourself and others safe.
