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@Charlie, thank you for submitting your question! Make sure that you're staying safe by using condoms and dental dams when being sexually active. Also be sure to get tested before and after every partner.

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@Koko, I’ve heard that young people are at risk for HIV and the number of HIV cases among young people is growing. I don’t want to take any chances of getting HIV. What’s the surest way I can protect myself?

@Charlie

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@Rihanna, I am so sorry you went this. Thank you for trusting me with this information. Often when people drink or use other substances they tend to forget/ are unsure of their actions. This means people cannot give consent when they are drunk or high. Alcohol and other substances affect your decision making, therefore, do not blame yourself. Moving forward currently, I would recommend visiting a local clinic for emergency contraceptives/ testing for pregnancy and STI's. Using protection if you decide to have sex later and talk to a counselor if needed.

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@Koko, I’m a senior this year and plan to go to college. The other night I went to a party and something happened. I had a couple of beers and then somebody handed me a joint. Everyone else was smoking too. It was powerful stuff! I had never used drugs before. The next thing I knew I was in the bedroom with this basketball player I kind of had a thing for. We ended up having sex, and I don’t even know if we used protection, because I was so high that I forgot to ask. I heard he does this type of thing a lot. Now he barely even speaks to me. I’m afraid that I could have gotten pregnant or gotten infected with an STI like HIV. What should I do?

@Rihanna

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@Carmello, ,  Oral sex is pretty safe. Use a condom or dental dam. Also get tested with your partner.

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It’s like this @Koko, I am fifteen years old, and my girlfriend and I have never had vaginal sex. We do other things, though, including oral sex. Before, we just wanted to make sure that she didn’t get pregnant. We had never really thought about infections like HIV. But now, I hear that teens my age are getting sexually transmitted infections. Is oral sex safe? How do we protect ourselves from STIs?

@Carmello

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@Marcus, Hey Marcus, I heard you could get tested at this clinic. Tell your new boyfriend about it! If he was a good guy, then he would be understanding and not angry about it. I would also suggest telling a trusted adult to help you talk about what you want to do.

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@Raymond,

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@Koko, five months ago, when I came out on my 16th birthday, I had sex with someone for the first time. We didn’t use condoms. I didn’t really enjoy it, and he never called me again. Now I have a new boyfriend and he wants me to have sex, too. Is it possible that I might have been exposed to HIV when I did it before? I’m anxious that I might be infected with HIV. What do I tell my boyfriend? What should I do? This whole relationship thing can be confusing.

@Marcus

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@Koko, my girlfriend and I have been going out for a year. We really love each other, and both want to have sex. I trust her, but I’m concerned about HIV. My girlfriend and I are 14 years old, and neither one of us has tattoos, and we don’t use drugs. We’ve been thinking about having sex, but only with each other. Do we have to worry about HIV?

@Raymond

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@Dana,
It is okay to worry about getting HIV. It is good to keep in mind that HIV can happen to anyone, and you can't tell who has HIV by looking at them and there are plenty of ways to live a safe healthy life while living with HIV. I understand you are afraid to date. The good news is, you can happily date anyone with or without HIV. HIV is not transmitted through touch, kissing, hanging out together, or any other "low risk" activities. If you decide to engage in higher risk sexual activities then getting tested, using condoms or talking to your doctor about starting PREP can be ways to help lower a person's risk. When you are ready to date, it could be helpful to have this conversation with your partner so they also know how you feel and know what they can do to make you feel safe and respected in the relationship.

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What’s up @Koko, I recently found out that a friend of mine is HIV positive and that she’s had the virus for years. She’s smart, fun to be around, and has only had sex with two guys her whole life. Now I’m afraid to be with anyone because if someone like her can get HIV, how can I know who’s safe and who isn’t? If she has HIV, then anyone could! I’m scared to date! What should I do?
@Dana