Aids workers in Africa are calling on governments to begin implementing a circumcision policy in order to restrain the spread of HIV.
Two studies carried out in Uganda and Kenya, published in the Lancet medical journal last month, said that circumcision could reduce the risk of a man being infected with HIV through heterosexual sex by 65 per cent.
The research follows a study by the University of Illinois, which found that men between 18 and 24 years old are at greater risk from contracting HIV if they are uncircumcised.
Over twice the number of uncircumcised participants in the survey of nearly 2,800 men became infected with the virus compared to those who had had their foreskin chopped off.
Dr Robert Bailey, who led the study, said that there was a strong link between circumcision and avoiding HIV but stressed that it was "by no means a natural condom". "We now have very concrete evidence that a relatively simple surgical procedure can have a very large impact on HIV," he stated.
AIDS, a potentially lethal sexually transmitted disease is still most widespread south of the Sahara in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean islands. However, in more developed countries the disease is becoming more frequent, especially amongst young people.
Intravenous drug users and people with many different partners are particularly at risk from HIV. The virus is found in bodily fluids such as blood, sperm and vaginal secretions, and can pass through little scratches that may occur during sexual intercourse.
The diagnosis is made when the HIV antibody is found in the blood. The test is not usually positive until 6 to 12 weeks after infection.
There is no cure for HIV and AIDS, but the earlier the diagnosis is made, the easier it is for the doctors to help. Today, efficient treatments exist that increase quality of life and prolong life itself.
The most important ways to reduce your risk are:
· Keep your partner's body fluids out of your body — vagina, anus, or mouth. The body — fluids to be most careful about are blood, cum, pre-cum, vaginal fluids, and the discharge from sores caused by sexually transmitted infections.
· Don't touch sores or growths that are caused by sexually transmitted infections.
Safer sex also means protecting your partner.
· Don't allow your body fluids to get into your partner's body.
· Don't have sex if you have sores or other symptoms of infection.
· Have routine checkups for infections.
· Get the correct treatment if you become infected
This information has been brought to you by Firstmed.co.uk, the UK’s leading online pharmacy specialising in the treatment sex related problems, including male impotence and low libido in women.
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