What is Safe Sex?

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases have never been eliminated as a public health problem. However, the lethality of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a sexually transmitted disease, poses unique challenges. Voluntary testing of all sexually active adults for antibodies against the causative agent, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, formerly HTLV-III/LAV), in conjunction with counseling and unequivocal "standards" for safe sex, is a first step in meeting those challenges.No published data exist regarding the influence of testing on the medical, psychological, social, and economic consequences of HIV infection.¹ These are real and important concerns. However, I argue that the benefits of widespread voluntary . . .