Q. What should you do when you are raped and you think the rapist could be HIV positive?
ULIZA DAKTARI Some of you have put private questions into the drop boxes in your school. I’ve done my best to answer some of them.
Q. I touched the genitals of someone who I think may be HIV positive. Could I have caught HIV from them? A. NO. You cannot get HIV from touching. HIV is passed from one person to another through sexual activities, during which the semen, vaginal fluid or blood of an infected person passes into the body of another person.
Q. My brother has HIV. Will he get better if he eats well? A. HIV and AIDS is incurable...that means that there is no cure for it. But your brother can live a long and healthy life if he continues to eat well and takes his medication. Q. I want to be tested for HIV but my mother says that people will gossip about me. Is this true? A. If people choose to gossip about you then that is their decision. They would be very foolish to make judgments about you for doing something so sensible. Don’t think about what some people may say – instead focus on all the positive aspects of knowing your status.
Q. Can anal sex transmit HIV? A. YES. It is possible for either sex partner to become infected with HIV during anal sex. Having unprotected anal sex is considered to be a very risky behavior.
a. You should go to the nearest clinic immediately. Do not take a shower or change your clothes. This will allow the clinic to take important evidence that may be required to arrest your abuser. If you are HIV negative the clinic can give you emergency treatment to prevent any infection of HIV. This needs to be taken within 72 hours of penetration. Q. Is it true that virgins don’t acquire / infect HIV/AIDS? A. NO! This is completely untrue. A virgin could have been infected with HIV at birth. It is also possible to be infected with HIV the first time you have sex. Q. Can HIV/AIDS decrease completely through taking ARV’s? A. No. ARV’s are not a cure for HIV/AIDS. Q. Can I get HIV or STI’s through oral sex? A. It is possible. Like any other sexual activity, oral sex carries a risk of transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Q. Can I go for counselling by myself if I am under the age of 18 years? A. YES! You can talk to a counsellor free on 0800 720 121. OR you can visit the KNH youth centre which is at kenyatta national hospital. hospital road, nairobi Q. Does everyone with HIV get AIDS? A. No. Not all people with HIV get AIDS.
Q. When you deep kiss an infected person will you be infected? The risk of acquiring HIV during open-mouth kissing is believed to be very low. There is only one reported case of it in the world. However if both partners have blood or open sores in their mouths then there is an increased risk.
Q. How can I avoid HIV and still have sex? A. It is perfectly possible to have safe sex and minimise the risks of being infected with HIV.
Q. I have a lot of questions about sex. Where can I go for good answers? Visit this website: www.liverpoolvct.org or call the youth hotline FREE on 0800 720 121. or call the knh youth centre on 020 2726300
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