In some Black and Black African communities, conversations about sex and sexual health can feel difficult or private. Having the right information puts you in control of your health, your relationships, and your future.
What is HIV?
HIV affects your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight everyday infections.
With the right treatment, people living with HIV can live long, full lives, and can’t pass HIV on to their partners.
How HIV is transmitted:
HIV can only be passed through certain body fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breastmilk.
The most common ways are:
- Sex without a condom
- Sharing needles or injecting equipment
- Passing from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding
You can’t get HIV through everyday contact like kissing, hugging or sharing food.
Sexual health is about feeling informed, confident and in control of your choices.
This can include:
-
Using condoms to protect against HIV and other STIs
-
Getting tested regularly, even if you feel well
-
Having open conversations with partners where you can
-
Knowing what support is available to you
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common and often have no symptoms.
Some of the most common STIs include, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, and Syphilis
Left untreated, some STIs can lead to long-term health issues, but they are usually easy to test for and treat.
Regular testing helps you:
-
Catch infections early
-
Look after your sexual health
-
Avoid passing infections on