When a person becomes infected with the HIV virus, he or she may not know it right away. If the person then has unsafe sex with a partner, the partner might become infected. Alexei's girlfriend tested HIV positive last week. She doesn't use drugs and has asked Alexei to stop using them. Now they are both infected with the HIV virus.

What is safe sex? Safe sex is using a condom every time you have sex, using it from the beginning to the end. If you have oral sex, use a condom, too, or a barrier such as plastic wrap for oral sex with a woman.