Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

There are only three ways in which HIV can be transmitted from one person to another.

• Having unprotected sex with an HIV-infected person
• From an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, at the time of delivery, or via breast milk.
• By injection or transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, donations of semen (artificial insemination), skin grafts or organ transplants taken from someone who is infected. Sharing unsterilized injection equipment that has previously been used by someone who is infected is a very efficient mode of HIV transmission.

Important to note,

• HIV is not transmitted by sharing meals, sharing clothes, holding hands, lip kissing, or using the same toilet.

HIV is present in blood and semen, which means that this is a possible transmission route.

There may be an increased risk if there is ejaculation, bleeding gums or sores anywhere in the mouth or around the lips (or genitals), or inflammation caused by common throat infections or sexually transmitted infections. Other STIs like syphilis, herpes, and gonorrhoea can be transmitted through oral sex.

HIV is not transmitted by kissing, so kissing on the cheek is very safe. Your unbroken skin is a good barrier even if the other person has the virus. No one has become infected by such ordinary social contact as dry kisses, hugs, and handshakes.

Open-mouth kissing is considered a very low-risk activity for the transmission of HIV. However, prolonged open-mouth kissing could damage the mouth or lips and allow HIV to pass from an infected person to a partner and then enter the body through cuts or sores in the mouth.

True. There is no barrier to getting married if you have an STI or HIV. But you must take all the precautions to prevent your marital partner from acquiring the illness from you. If it is HIV, you should come to regular clinic visits, keep your viral load undetectable, and always use condoms.

We encourage the divulgence of your status to your partner, which helps in a healthy and responsible relationship.

Using condoms correctly and consistently can prevent HIV transmission from an infected person to a partner. If you are already infected, taking HIV medicines as prescribed by your doctor is of utmost importance since the transmission risk is zero if your viral load is undetectable. (U=U Undetectable=Untransmittable).

If there is a difficulty in using condoms consistently, there is another method of HIV prevention called Pre- Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) where people who don’t have HIV take HIV medication to reduce their risk of getting HIV. PrEP is also available in STD clinics, and you can discuss with the doctor your suitability.

Masturbation is a healthy form of sexual gratification. It does not have a risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection or any chance of pregnancy.

It can help you reduce stress, improve your mood, and relax.

But some people don't masturbate. Those people are also considered normal. 

But it will be problematic if you get addicted to masturbation and addicted to pornography, which would affect your day-to-day activities and lead to low sexual sensations during sexual intercourse.

The size of the penis varies among different individuals. A micro penis is an abnormality that is diagnosed medically when the size of the erect penis is less than 3 inches, but it is only present in less than 1% of the population.

The size of the penis does not affect the sexual satisfaction of the male or his partner, and there are no approved medications to increase the size of the penis.

For further info

It is a method of HIV prevention to be taken before possible exposure to HIV infection. It can be taken daily or event-driven basis. This is available from the STD clinic network.

For further info

A range of services including counselling, testing, and Post Exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available for you. Please visit the nearest STD clinic or call the PEP hotline for further information.