Advise that:

• The risks of unsafe sex include:
• Unwanted pregnancy
• Cervical cancer
• Infertility
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as:
• Chlamydia
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts
• Gonorrhoea
• Hepatitis A, B, and C
• HIV
• Non-specific urethritis
• Syphilis
• Trichomonas vaginalis
• Infections can be passed from one person to another by:
• Penetrative sex (vaginal, oral, or anal)
• Non-penetrative sex, intimate skin-to-skin or hair-to-hair contact, and kissing, especially if semen or vaginal fluids come into contact with the genitals, anus, mouth, eyes, or broken skin.
• Sharing sex toys.
• People are often not aware that they have a sexually transmitted infection. It is therefore important to practice safe sex even when both partners believe that they are not infected.
• Tips for safe sex:
• The safest sex (apart from masturbation alone) is with a regular, 100% faithful partner. Sex with 'anonymous' partners is the riskiest. Sex with a best friend can be a risk if there is no discussion about other/previous partners.
• Any cut, sore, or open skin lesion on the finger, should be covered (e.g. with waterproof plasters, or by wearing latex gloves) during genital or anal foreplay. Hands should be washed after anal foreplay.
• A condom (male or female) should be used when having sex with someone who is not a regular, faithful partner, or when the regular, faithful partner has a sexually transmitted infection.
• A condom should be put on before the penis contacts the partner's genitals, anus, or mouth.
• When having oral sex, a male or female condom should be used, or a dam used to cover the anus or female genitals.
• Oral sex and genital sex should be avoided if either partner:
• Has a sexually transmitted infection.
• Has sores, cuts, ulcers, blisters, warts, or rashes around the genitals, anus, or mouth.
• Has any unhealed or inflamed piercings in the mouth or genitals.
• Oral sex should be avoided if either partner has a throat infection.
• Where there is a risk of STI, avoid:
• Giving oral sex to a woman who is menstruating.
• Brushing or flossing teeth shortly before or after giving someone oral sex (as this can cause the gums to bleed).
• Semen and vaginal fluid should be kept out of the eyes.
• Sex toys should be washed and/or covered with a new condom before they are shared.
• When having penetrative anal sex, the condom should be lubricated with a water-based or silicone lubricant, avoiding oily lubricants and spermicides (as they can weaken the condom enough for it to split). The condom should be changed when moving between anal and vaginal sex. If no spare condom is available, progress should be from the vagina to the anus rather than from the anus to the vagina.
• Any symptoms that might be caused by a sexually transmitted infection, such as itchiness or swelling around the genitals, or an unusual discharge, should prompt abstinence. The partner should be told, and a GP or sexual health clinic consulted.

Reassure that:

• People cannot catch, or pass on, sexually transmitted infections by: hugging; sharing baths or towels; swimming pools, toilet seats; or sharing cups, plates, or cutlery. However, genital warts, pubic lice, and scabies can be passed on by intimate contact, including skin-to-skin or hair-to-hair.
• Except for herpes, people cannot catch, or pass on, sexually transmitted infections by kissing.
• Warts on the hand cannot be passed to the genitals.

[Belfield et al, 2006]