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ONLY IF YOU ARE READY TO HAVE SEX

Dear Counsellor:

I'm 18 years old and I am with my present boyfriend since I was 16. We both love each other very much. Should I have sex with my boyfriend?

Jade

Dear Jade:

There is no 'should' when it comes to sex. You and your partner need to discuss together whether or not you are both ready for sex. It's OK to decide you aren't ready. There are many other ways to enjoy your time together. If you decide that you are ready, be open about your past experiences and sexual history. Honesty and communications are important in safer sex.

UNPROTECTED SEX AND A CRUSH AT SCHOOL

Dear Counsellor:

I have two questions to ask you and I hope you will be able to help me. Firstly, I had unprotected sex with a guy last night and now I'm worried I might be pregnant. What should I do? Secondly, I have a crush on a friend at school. How do I know if this friend has a crush on me too?

J.J

Dear J.J

Unplanned pregnancy is a serious concern for many young women. Fortunately, emergency contraception is an option that can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex occurs. Remember that it does not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI) including HIV the virus that causes AIDS. You must see a health care provider as soon as possible so that you can discuss how to prevent pregnancy and infection with STIs.

Well, the only way to be completely sure whether or not this guy has a crush on you is to ask how he or she feels about you.

GENITAL HERPES

Dear Counsellor:

I have heard about genital herpes all the time, but was never interested in the details about it. Now I'm infected and confused. What really is genital herpes?

J.T.

Dear J.T.

Genital herpes is caused by the same herpes virus that can cause fever blisters" on your lips or mouth. These small painful sores or blisters can occur on your sex organs as well as your mouth. There is no cure for herpes. The sores go away, but the virus remains in the body. The sores can recur one or more times a year, but usually hurt less and heals faster when they come back. Most people get genital herpes from having sex with a partner who has aids_affair herpes on the sex organs. However, if your partner has herpes on the mouth, you can get the disease from oral sex. This virus is easily transmitted between sexual partners. You should not have sex when you have open sores or feel the sores coming on. That is the time when you are most likely to pass on the virus to sex partner/s. Always use a condom when you have sex. Wash your hands right away if you touch the sores. You can spread the virus to other parts of your body, like your eyes or mouth. Although there is no cure, there are medications that will heal the sores quickly. It is important for you to let your sex partners know that you have herpes. Remember that honesty is very important in a relationship.

WHAT IS HEPATITIS B?

Dear Counsellor:

I am a 17-year-old girl and I'm very concerned about my mother. I know she has a disease called Hepatitis B. She does not know that I know. It worries me because it makes her very sick most of the time. I need you to tell me what really is Hepatitis B.

Worried Daughter

Dear Worried Daughter:

I am sorry to hear of your mother's illness. Hepatitis B is a serious disease of the liver caused by a virus, the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Many people can be infected with Hepatitis B and still look and feel well, while others can have on-going liver damage, liver cancer and even death. Hepatitis B is spread by having unprotected sex (oral, vaginal and anal) with someone who is infected or by sharing needles, toothbrushes, or razors, or through contact with an infected person's blood. Symptoms of Hepatitis B may include: yellowish skin, a bloated aching stomach, nausea, fever, dark-coloured urine and a rash all over the body. Some people never get sick, but they can still infect others. It is important to know also that these symptoms may be symptoms of other illnesses. I'm not sure how you found out about your mother's illness, but maybe if you were able to talk about it with her you would feel less worried.