To my friends who have written me several emails and have not received a reply, my apologies.  Seems like time flies so fast and by the time, the end of the day arrives and I switch on my home computer, I don't seem to have much energy to correspond to anyone.  Last Saturday, I spent the entire afternoon catching up on my sleep.  I will try to respond soon.  Meanwhile, know that you guys are in my thoughts.

Anyway, last Thursday evening, I had a Rotary meeting and we invited a special speaker; a health worker who has worked with Aids patients from the very first Aids case here in Singapore and has continued to work in this field since.  So you can imagine the wealth of knowledge and experience she has to impart to the rest of us.  It was definitely very interesting, with loads of questions and laughter.  On Aids prevention, she had this to say:

1. No penetrating sex without protection; especially anal sex.

2. For oral sex, best to use protection.

3. Do not have sex when menstruating.

4. Non-penetrating sex is safer.

5. No sharing of needles.

The reasons for the above is that the two main concentration of the HIV virus within the infected person's body is the semen and the blood.   Therefore, the one receiving the semen or the blood is likely to be more at risk.  That is why sharing of needles are risky too as the needles would have traces of the blood of those who used them.

When we were discussing this topic, I reflected back at the taboo sex practices in Islam where it is expressedly prohibitted to have anal sex and to have sex during menstruation, I have to thank God for the foresight of trying to protect humanity from this disease.  Of course, not all of us are so obedient, of course...but at least, the rules are there to be followed by those who wish.  Of course, as the lady stated, the best choice is either celibacy or mutual monogamy (not cheating on your partners!). 

The topic of Aids prevention and awareness something that we need to ensure our young understand for there is a rise of HIV positive in the youths.  The reality of promiscuity and sexual experimentation amongst the youth is something that all of us has to tackle.

Peace