DON'T PLAY WITH SEX
By Raynah Sivaraman

Every adult must have cautioned a child, at some time and in some language, with the words "don't play with fire". Why? Because playing with fire is dangerous and could forever blight a young life. Even though fire remains one of man's primal needs and has been hailed as his very first discovery that led to the preservation of life on earth, it can also wreck devastation. And it does, either by accident, ignorance or sheer carelessness – and, when least expected.

So it is with sex.

Sex, like fire, is life-preserving, life-enriching but sadly, life-devastating too. Still, few parents would tell their children in no uncertain terms, "Don't play with sex". Fewer still are able to deal with the subject of sex and sexuality when confronted by their children. The State of the Philippines Population Report, 2nd issue (SPPR2) has reported that despite their powerful influence on children, "most parents and guardians still do not fully understand the situation of the young, have inadequate communication skills and are limited in their ability to give meaningful counseling on sexuality and reproductive health". As adults today, we rarely hear ourselves caution our growing children at pre-teen, teen and post-teen stages, that sex can destroy and devastate a young life. But, we must know with every certainty that the menace of HIV and AIDS is as dangerous as playing with fire, and for the past two decades has devastated millions of lives all over the globe.

How did HIV originate, spread and cause AIDS?

According to the report issued in January 1999 by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) originated in non-human primates, possibly a particular species of chimpanzee, before it "crossed over" into the human population. It has existed in the USA, Haiti and Africa since at least 1977/78 when doctors reported rare types of pneumonia, cancer and other illnesses that were not found in people with healthy immune systems. By 1982, the CDC officially named this condition AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and by 1984, the virus responsible for weakening the immune system was identified as HIV.

HIV can be passed from an infected person to a non-infected person when the infected person's blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person's broken skin or mucous membranes (i.e. the wet, thin tissue found in certain openings in the human body, such as the mouth, eyes, nose, vagina, rectum and the opening of the penis). As worrying and even more tragic is the fact that an infected pregnant woman can pass HIV to her baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding.

People with HIV have what is called HIV infection, and some of them will develop the disease called AIDS, as a result of their HIV infection. Briefly stated, HIV is the "virus" that causes the disease identified as AIDS.

AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is "acquired" because this disease is not hereditary but develops from contact with a disease-causing agent (in this case, HIV). "Immune Deficiency" is characterized by a weakening of the immune system, making the body non-resistant to any infection. And, "syndrome" refers to a group of symptoms that indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS, this includes the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells resulting in a person's immune system getting damaged.
Avoid risky behavior...or, don't play with sex!

According to the 2003 NDHS (National Demographic and Health Survey) conducted among young, unmarried males 15 – 19 years old, 6 out of every 10 had sex in the past 12 months – but only 2 out of 10 used a condom during their first sexual experience. This means that 4 out of every 10 indulged in "risky" behavior akin to playing with fire.
And only 4 out of 10 young women in the age group 15-19 knew that condoms can prevent AIDS.

Evidently, dearth of knowledge about risky sexual behavior can lead to health problems especially when, according to the SPPR2, the number of young people who had sex by the age of 15 has increased eightfold, from less than 2% in 1994 to 16% in 2002. And even though 55% of the youth qualified that their first sexual encounter was something they did not plan on, 70% did it without any protection.

It has also been observed that risk-taking behavior of different kinds (smoking, drinking, taking drugs) is usually not done in isolation. Rather, all risk-taking behavior is interlinked and those who smoke, drink and use drugs are also more likely to have sex. On the other hand, having sex is most strongly linked to drug use....and later, to thoughts of suicide and violence. Researchers point out that this is "multiple risk-taking behavior" among the youth.

It has also been revealed that a significantly growing number of youth engage in premarital sex or are victims of sexual assault and have experienced early pregnancy or abortion. Many do not grasp the entire physical, mental and psychological consequences of such experiences and risky behavior – and few realize that they could end up scarred and struggling through adulthood.

What risky sexual behavior can lead to?

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) risky sexual behavior can lead to HIV and also to other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can increase a person's risk of becoming infected with HIV, whether or not that STD causes lesions or breaks in the skin. If the STD infection causes irritation of the skin, breaks or sores it makes it easier for HIV to enter the body during sexual contact. And even if an STD causes no breaks or sores, it can still stimulate an immune response in the genital area that can make HIV transmission more likely.

HIV destroys a certain kind of blood cell (CD4+ T cells) which is crucial to the normal functioning of the human immune system. Loss of these cells in a human body, leads to the development of AIDS. Studies have revealed that most people infected with HIV carry the virus for years before the immune system gets damaged and causes AIDS. Sensitive tests have shown a strong connection between the amount of HIV in the blood and the decline in CD4+ T cells and the development of AIDS. Reducing the HIV virus in the body with anti-retroviral therapies can dramatically slow the destruction of a person's immune system.

HIV can be found in the blood, semen, or vaginal fluid of an infected person and is transmitted through three main ways – having sex (anal, vaginal, or oral) with someone infected with HIV; sharing needles and syringes with someone who has HIV; and, exposure (in case of infants) to HIV before or during birth or through breast feeding.

It takes at least three months after a person has been infected by this virus, for a medical test to reveal that a person has HIV. Hence, a negative result is no guarantee unless there is a re-test after three months during which time the person should not indulge in any risky sexual behavior.

Superstitions and unfounded fears of HIV

HIV is not transmitted by day-to-day contact in the workplace, schools, or social settings. Nor is it transmitted through shaking hands, hugging, or a casual kiss. One cannot become infected from a toilet seat, a drinking fountain, a door knob, dishes, drinking glasses, food, or pets. That's because HIV does not live long outside the body.

HIV is a virus that infects humans, and there is no evidence at all that it can be transmitted by insects like mosquitoes. It is neither an air-borne nor a food-borne virus. Also, should one believe in the supernatural or in black magic, one needs to remember that neither can transmit HIV.

What is non-risky sexual behavior?

At a HIV World Conference held in July 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand, the ABC formula, strongly advocated by the Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni. This formula stood for:

A: Abstaining from vaginal or anal intercourse or oral sex.

B. Being faithful to one uninfected partner i.e. being in a mutually monogamous relationship.

C. Condom-use every time one has sex, for those who are sexually active.

More than a decade ago, Uganda suffered one of the highest rates of HIV infections in the world. By 2003, this African nation had reduced its rate of infection to just 6 percent, down from 18 percent in 1990. Many people substantially credit this remarkable turnaround to the much-discussed "ABC" method of HIV prevention, which encourages teens and adults alike to first be abstinent, or to be monogamous if engaging in sex, and finally, to use condoms if having sex with more than one sex partner.

Youth need support

Youth is a process of experimenting and learning. And, just as a child needs a float when beginning to swim our youth need knowledge, advice and caution on the subject of sex. Youth need a communication that is easy and non-judgmental, knowledge of how sex can impact their health and future, and values that inculcate respect, concern and responsibility. Our youth need support that is constant and dependable, not occasional and unreliable. Above all, they need to be plainly told and repeatedly, without reservation, "don't play with sex".