| Q: |
Is AIDS contagious through sexual contact? |
| A: |
The virus that causes AIDS is called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It can be passed to someone when semen, vaginal secretions, or blood from an infected person get into the body of an uninfected person. This can happen during oral, vaginal, or anal sex. This virus is passed on through unprotected sex with an infected person, by sharing an infected person's needle during drug or steroid use, or from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Most people with HIV do not look sick until they have had the virus for many years. During that time, the only way to find out whether they have the virus is to take an HIV test. Unless you know for sure that neither you nor your sexual partner has the virus, you should practice safer sex. Examples of safer sex include:
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Mutual genital touching by hand. |
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Oral sex with a man if the man wears a condom. Oral sex with a woman if a "dental dam" is used. A dental dam is a rubber sheet that fits over the woman's vulva, during oral sex. Or a sheet of plastic kitchen wrap that keeps the woman’s sexual fluids contained can be used instead. |
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Vaginal intercourse wearing a condom. Condoms only work if they are used correctly, every time, from start to finish. Extra water-based lubricant can be used to reduce the risk of the condom breaking. Never use lotion or oils, which weaken latex condoms. |
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| Q: |
Can sexual intercourse be harmful to a patient or partner? |
| A: |
Cancer treatment does not make sexual activity dangerous. Having sex with a patient will not expose the partner to radiation under most circumstances. Check with your doctor, just to be sure. A few chemotherapy drugs can be present in small amounts in semen or vaginal fluids. Ask your doctor whether you should use condoms just around the time of receiving your chemotherapy.
These can be symptoms of cancer, but more often they are symptoms of non-cancerous conditions. It is important to check with a doctor. |
| Q: |
When should a person with cancer not have sex? |
| A: |
Ask your doctor if sexual activity would cause a problem with your treatment. There are some general guidelines to consider:
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During recovery from surgery, intercourse can cause bleeding or strain the incision. Intimate contact may also increase chances of an infection. The time between surgery and resuming your sex life varies. This depends on the type of operation and your rate of healing. Your surgeon can tell you when it would be safe to try sexual activity again. |
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Some types of cancer, like cancer of the cervix or bladder, may cause bleeding in the genital area or urinary tract. If this bleeding becomes heavier after sex, cease intercourse until the bleeding has stopped. |
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During chemotherapy, a person with an infusion catheter sometimes worries that sexual activity will disturb it. As long as you take care not to rub against the dressing, sexual activity should not present a problem. |
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When you are being treated for cancer, there are often times when your immune system is not working as well as it should. This may happen during radiotherapy or chemotherapy. At such times, you may be at higher risk for infections. Ask your doctor if sexual contact poses too much threat of infection. Also, ask for advice on kissing, cuddling, or sexual touching. |
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Bacteria that can start an infection in the urinary tract or genital area can be washed away by urinating a few minutes after sex. |
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You can reduce your chances of getting an infection if your partner wears a condom. The spermicide on the condom also seems to fight bacteria and some viruses. If a woman's vagina is irritated from chemotherapy, foams or jellies may make the problem worse and be painful. Lubricants should be used to help with vaginal moisture. |
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