Dear zoozagt5,

No, that is not true. A person can get HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) by having unprotected sex with an infected partner — whether that partner is a woman or a man. Unprotected anal and vaginal intercourse are higher risk than unprotected oral intercourse.

These are the other ways a person can get HIV:

• sharing needles or syringes with 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.
• Don't mix drugs or alcohol with sex — 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.