safe sex

There are an estimated 33.3 million people with HIV and AIDS in the world today.

The numbers are pretty shocking but what’s more shocking is the fact that a quarter of those who have the disease are unaware that they are infected.

While most of us know the basics of safe sex, growing numbers of people are now catching the virus – making it more important than ever to stay safe and go for testing.

Should you be tested?

Today, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is calling on everyone who attends a sexual health clinicto be offered testing. Current figures show that one-in-five people offered the test at a sexual health clinic refused to have it.

In a recent poll, Cosmo asked “Have you ever taken a HIV test?” Sixty-six per cent of you said “Nope, not got round to taking one”, 22 per cent said “Yes, I try to make it part of my regular sexual health check-up” and 11 per cent of you said “Not yet but I'll make sure it's a priority from now on.”

If you're one of the 66 per cent who haven't got round to being tested - now is a good time to make an appointment. Advances in medicine mean that if HIV is caught early enough, it can be controlled with drugs, reducing the impact on lifespan.

Sadly though, many of us are leaving it too late with catastrophic results.

Deborah Jack of the National AIDS Trust said: "People shouldn't be scared of HIV testing, but they should be scared of undiagnosed HIV.

"The advances in HIV treatment have been one of the biggest success stories in the 30 years since the virus first emerged, but too many people test too late and so fail to benefit from these drugs."

According to the HPA, half of those diagnosed with HIV in 2010 were identified after the point at which treatment should ideally have begun.

If you’re reluctant to attend an STI clinic, you can now order a confidential HIV saliva test online from Lloyds Pharmacy. The test involves a simple saliva swab which is then posted back for testing – with the results available to view online a few days later.

While the test cannot diagnose HIV, it can tell you if there are signs of the virus in your saliva, in which case a further diagnosis is required.

Dr Thom Van Every, medical director and sexual health expert at Lloydspharmacy, said: “Today’s HPA report on HIV shows that some people are being alarmingly complacent when it comes to their health.

“The reality is that a lot of people are put off getting tested because of the ongoing stigma associated with HIV and AIDS. I would urge people to stop and think about how they can take responsibility for their own health.

“There really is no shame in getting tested and World AIDS Day is a fantastic way to reduce the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS – and encourage people that may be concerned - for whatever reason – to take action and get tested.”

Safe sex – the facts

HIV is passed when infected bodily fluids (blood, semen, fluids from the vagina or breast milk) enter a person’s bloodstream. The virus can enter the blood through linings in the mouth, anus, the penis and vagina, or through broken skin. It is most commonly spread by having unprotected sex (vaginal, anal or oral) with an infected person and by sharing a needle to take drugs.

Both men and women can spread HIV, including pregnant women who can give the virus to their babies. A person with HIV may have flu like symptoms within a few weeks of being infected, but may feel healthy for months or even years before symptoms show.

Myths about HIV and AIDS

You cannot get HIV from touching or hugging someone, from public toilets or swimming pools, or from sharing cups, utensils or telephones with someone who has the infection.

Did you know?

The two groups most affected are gay and bisexual men and black African heterosexuals – over three-quarters of people diagnosed with HIV in 2010 were among these two groups.

Some 6,660 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK last year.

More than 3,000 gay men were diagnosed with HIV last year - the highest ever annual number. One in 20 gay men is now infected with HIV nationally and in London the figure is one in 11.

Infections acquired within the UK nearly doubled in the last decade (to 3,640 in 2010) and now exceed those acquired abroad.

Just under 4% of England's population was tested for HIV in 2010. The majority of these were people attending GUM clinics or women going for pregnancy check-ups.

Sex addiction

Sex addiction has more exposure today than ever, with household celebrities such as Russell Brand speaking openly about the condition; but what causes sex addiction and what does the problem entail?

Dr Abigael San, a clinical psychologist at The Priory Hospital, says, “Sex addiction, like other addiction problems, is a way of escaping when things get difficult. It’s a coping strategy and it can be very preoccupying. Sex addicts might find themselves spending lots of time sourcing pornography, looking at it and trying to get hold of it.”

Most people think that a sex addiction must stem from a sex-related issue, but usually it comes from the nature of addiction itself and is more about the feeling of helplessness. Dr. San explains, “Sex addiction runs a lot deeper than just sex. Of course, factors like a high sex drive are going to be relevant but they’re rarely the cause of sex addiction.” Although it’s an easy stereotype to place, sex addiction is usually more common in men than women, but that could be for a number of reasons, ranging from the fact we might expect men to carry the addiction, to the possibility that it’s more acceptable for a man to have it. With the Internet being readily available, sex addiction has more accessibility, so anyone who might have a tendency to be a sex addict would be able to go down that path.

Dr. San believes that with the right course of action, people can beat sex addiction, “Sex addiction should be treated in the same way as any other addiction problem, which means looking at the reasons behind the addiction and building up other areas of the addict’s life, such as going to therapy meetings, where they’ll meet new people and have less opportunity for encouraging their addiction.”

The best way to deal with sex addiction, or even worries about sex addiction, is to have an assessment by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, and then take relevant addiction treatment from there. 

Jism 2-Sunny Leone out

Porn-star Sunny Leone may be hogging all the limelight ever since Mahesh Bhatt offered her JISM 2 at the television reality show Big Boss. However, there is another beginner who didn't bag much publicity and attention despite finding herself in the good books of the Bhatts. The girl is Esha Guptawho is already working with Emraan Hashmi in yet another franchise, JANNAT 2, and is happy to begin her career with the Bhatts.
"It is phenomenal to be working with Bhatts since they have a knack of portraying the female protagonists really well in their films," says Esha who has been a successful model for quite some time now. "They respect the presence of female leads in their films and also ensure that the girls act really well despite being new to the industry. For me, there couldn't have been a better start than this," adds Esha.
Mahesh Bhatt not only narrated her character in the film in detail but also assured her about its significance in the film. The renowned filmmaker also shared quite a few observations about her as an actor and a person.
Esha is also excited about JANNAT 2. "Bhatt saab actually sat down with me and narrated the entire script to me. I guess that was a moment I'll cherish all my life. I was just so touched to be with a person of his calibre and stature. It isn't with every film that you would get a senior personality like him to guide you." 

sexy on the silver screen

 

Lisa Haydon in Rascals

 Katrina Kaif looks sizzling in this

 Vidya in her new uber glam avatar

 Barbara Mori in Kites

 Udita in Zeher

 Jiah Khan in Nishabd

 

Mugdha in Help.

Kareena in Kurbaan - remember the ruckus this poster created?

Hot Mumbai models

sexy models

Name: Rachel Bayros

My fashion dream is: I have come a long way in India, now I have dreams to make it internationally.

Craziest OMG Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) moment: Nothing in particular has left an impression on me. I notice the fight between reality and pretence when it comes to this industry. Every person is at a deferent level, I have gathered a lot and learnt a lot from each person I meet. I have learnt how not to take everything seriously and take the good from every person I meet. If an OMG moment does happen, I would laugh about it and find it silly.

Name: Fiona Melissa Thomas

My fashion dream is: To become an internationally recognised print and/or catwalk model.Craziest OMG LFW moment: A lot of the diva attitudes I've seen have made me think OMG but nothing too crazy...yet.

Name: Gia Johnson Singh

My fashion dream is: To continue working in the most beautiful places in the world. My dream is for that to never end!Craziest OMG LFW moment: The quick outfit changes within a show can be crazy and totally frantic! Seeing all the girls running through backstage is a funny experience and sometimes our bodies move faster than our heads. I can quite honestly say I've tripped over and even tried to put both legs in the same trousers leg-hole. It's as if all my co-ordination goes out of the window. It's good to be able to laugh at yourself though.
Name: Ashika Pratt
My fashion dream is: Everyday I'm living in a fashion dream, each piece of clothing I get to wear at shows and shoots are pieces of art. I guess being able to take them home at the end of the day would be my dream.Craziest OMG LFW moment: At fashion weeks there is always good food and a lot of it...anyone who says models don't eat, haven't seen us in between shows!

Name: Tamara Moss My fashion dream: For models to be able to wear more skimpy clothes on the ramp and not be attacked by terrorist groups like the Shiv Sena.Craziest OMG LFW moment: The media publishing pictures of the "wardrobe malfunction" that takes place at the shows. Clothes and a woman’s body are beautiful things. The Indian government even acknowledging a case against this is ridiculous. There are wrong people on the wrong side of the law. LFW is now getting more serious and I am glad.

Name: Mashoom Singha

My fashion dream is: To do a a brand campaign for an international designer. Craziest OMG LFW moment: I feel LFW is quite sober. The Mai Mumbai show last year was a good platform, with Naomi Campbell walking the ramp which was very different.