The term 'safer sex' can mean different things to different people. It is called ‘safer’ sex and not just ‘safe sex’ because while the risk is greatly reduced, it is not 100% risk free depending on what you are doing.

Safer sex means doing everything you can to make sure someone else's blood, semen or vaginal fluids do not enter your body.

One way to have safer sex is to avoid physical contact altogether. This eliminates any risks of exchanging bodily fluids. Masturbation is safe as long as contact is not made with another's bodily fluids.

Non-penetrative sex is another form of safer sex. This, also call ‘outercourse’, includes kissing, touching and stroking. And while it may prevent pregnancy and most STIs, it may not protect 100% against infections that are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes and genital warts.

You live in the era of HIV and safer sex is not a choice, it is just the way you have to have sex! You have a future ahead of you so make sure you protect it.