Sex

General Information

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is the inflamation of the liver. The liver is the power house of your body. It does:

filters harmful substances from the blood
stores vitamins
produces bile which is needed for digestion
maitains glucose levels in the blood
produces 80% of the body's cholesterol
production of horemones
produces urea the main substance of urine

HIV / AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that damages the body’s immune system. The immune system is made up of group of cells and organs that keep the body healthy by fighting viruses and infections. CD4 cells, also known as T-helper or T-cells, are one of the primary types of cells in this process. When someone is infected with HIV, the virus uses the individual’s CD4 cells to multiply. As a result, the cells are damaged and unable to function properly to keep the individual healthy. Over time, the number of healthy CD4 cells declines. When HIV has destroyed enough of the body's CD4 cells, an individual can be diagnosed with AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This diagnosis means that the body’s immune system is no longer able to effectively fight off illness. Because of these other illnesses, an individual may become very sick or possibly die.

Sexual Health

Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.

STIs / STDs

STIs (sexually transmitted infections) or more commonly known as STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) are often divided into several categories, bacterial, viral and parasitic, depending on the nature of the infection.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis C

The Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a common infection in many parts of the world. It is possible to become infected through eating or drinking contaminated food or water. There is a vaccine for Hepatitis A.

How it's spread:

The Hepatitis A virus is found in feces of an infected person and is often spread through food or water contaminated by fecal matter. It can also be passed on through using utensils handled by and infected person, or by eating infected food or drinking infected water. Hepatitis A can be transmitted by small particles of infected stool entering your mouth through anal contact and rimming. Hepatitis can be passed on if even a tiny amount of feces from a person with hepatitis A comes into contact with another person's mouth. This means the virus can also be passed on sexually through practices such as oral-anal contact. Personal hygiene, with careful hand washing, can minimize the risk of the virus being passed.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis C

Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause chronic infection, cirrhosis (scarring), and cancer of the liver. The virus is present in blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk of an infected individual. Individuals are encouraged to take all three doses of the vaccine to protect themselves against infection.

How it's spread:

Hepatitis B is transmitted through unprotected anal, vaginal, and oral sex with an infected person; through contaminated needles or syringes; or from an infected mother to her new born during childbirth or breast-feeding. Hepatitis B is not transmitted through such causal contact as hugging, shaking hands, sharing food, using the same eating utensils, drinking from the same glass, sitting on public toilets, or touching door knobs.