How to Have Safe Sex

Step 1
Know your partner. Sex with anonymous partners carries a higher risk, as the HIV and STD (sexually transmitted disease) status of the partner is unknown.

Step 2
Touching provides a minimal amount of risk. HIV and most other STDs are not transmitted merely through touching, except for syphilis. If contact is made with an open sore or ulcer on a person's genitalia caused by syphilis, a risk of transmission does exist.

Step 3
Kissing provides a minimal amount of risk as well. But cold sores, often caused by the herpes virus, can be transmitted by kissing so you should avoid kissing if you or your partner is having an outbreak.

Step 4
Be sure to use a condom or dental dam when having genital-oral sex.

Step 5
Use a dental dam, or a condom cut lengthwise, when having anal-oral sex. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended as well.

Step 6
Keep in mind that other diseases can also be transmitted to both partners by oral sex. These include gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, genital warts, parasites, giardia and hepatitis.

Step 7
Don't forget to use a female condom or condom with spermicide when having vaginal intercourse. Unprotected vaginal sex carries a very high risk of transmitting HIV between partners. Remember that other diseases can also be transmitted to both partners during vaginal sex, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, genital warts and hepatitis.

Step 8
Use condoms when having anal sex, as microscopic tears in the anal wall occur easily and provide a rapid and efficient mode of transmission for HIV. Use lubricant or lubricated condoms to prevent friction that can disturb the lining of the anal canal.

Step 9
Remember that other diseases can also be transmitted to both partners during anal sex, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, genital warts and hepatitis.

Step 10
Wash all sex toys between partners to decrease the risk of transmitting HIV and other STDs.