Dear linsley25,

Yes. It depends on whether or not that one person has HIV or is at risk of getting HIV. The risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection depends not only on how many partners you've had, but also how many other partners your partner has had. Even if people have only one sex partner, they can still be at risk for a number of sexually transmitted infections — including HIV — if their partners get an infection from someone else.

People can get HIV by

• having unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who has the virus
• sharing needles or syringes with someone who has the virus
• receiving transfusions of blood products donated by someone who has the virus
• getting HIV-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores
• being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with the virus

HIV can also be passed from a woman to her fetus during pregnancy or birth.

These are the ways to reduce the risk of passing HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections:

• Keep your partner's body fluids out of your body — vagina, anus, or mouth. The body fluids to be most careful about are blood, ejaculate, pre-ejaculate, vaginal fluids, and the discharge from sores caused by sexually transmitted infections.
• Don't touch sores or growths that are caused by sexually transmitted infections.
• Use latex or female condoms because they are effective barriers.
• Avoid alcohol and other drugs — their use can encourage people to take risks they wouldn't take if they weren't high.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.