At this time no vaccine is available to prevent people from becoming infected with HIV and studies of various vaccines have been disappointing. The virus mutates (that is, its surface proteins change) quickly. Because vaccines are usually directed against surface proteins in an effort to kill the virus, such subtle but important changes in the virus over time mean that a vaccine that may be effective at one time may not be effective a short while later. With the rapid spread of HIV throughout the world—especially in areas where people are not able to afford expensive treatments once they become infected—the development of an effective vaccine is imperative.

Infection takes place in three ways—sexual transmission, exchange of blood or other body fluid, and exchange of fluids from mother to child—and these are now discussed in detail.

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incidence: common

cause: bacterium (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)

symptoms: burning with urination, discharge, pelvic pain, spotting

between periods

treatment: antibiotics

WHAT IS IT?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium can cause a number of genital infections, including urethritis, epididymitis, and prostatitis in men and urethritis, cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. Women who have had hysterectomies can contract a gonorrheal infection in the urethra and genital glands. The bacterium can also cause infection of the throat, conjunctiva, and rectum, joint infection; and meningitis. Recently it has been found that people who become infected with gonorrhea may be at increased risk of acquiring and transmitting other sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

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Studies indicate that about 4 percent of women in the United States label themselves as being lesbian. This statistic probably significantly underestimates the number of women who have sex with other women; one study showed that up to 18 percent of women experienced attraction to other women or were in sexual relationships with other women. When labels are assigned to a minority group, and especially when those labels have certain negative connotations, people may be hesitant to claim membership in that group.

Many women who have sex with female partners do not believe that they are at risk for sexually transmitted infections, and health care providers may also believe that these women are not at risk. This is partly because there have not been many studies of the rates of STDs among lesbians, but it may also be because of bias against those in same-sex relationships. Even if lesbian women do turn to traditional health care providers for care, they may experience the homophobia of a health care provider or receive incorrect advice, such as “gay women don’t need Pap smears.” Many lesbian women find a more open approach at clinics that specialize in the health care of women.

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Like the PLCO study, the PIVOT study is long; it has a three-year enrollment period, and a twelve-year follow-up; 2,000 men will be able to participate. Men up to age 75 are eligible—but these older men, like the rest of the men in the study, must be healthy enough to be considered fit for surgery. Only men with prostate cancer who are considered candidates for surgery may take part in the study; they will be assigned to one of two groups—either they’ll undergo a radical prostatectomy, or they will be followed closely with watchful waiting and treated as needed for specific symptoms or metastases. Many cancer centers and Veterans Administration hospitals throughout the country are participating in this study.

What’s the measure of success here? It’s what you might call the ultimate endpoint—death or survival. “Really, that’s what the patient cares about,” says the internist. “Will my disease be cured? Is my life better without the surgery? We don’t know the answer to either of those questions. Those in favor of radical prostatectomy say, ‘How can doctors dare not treat? They’re killing people with watchful waiting!’ And the watchful waiting people say that surgery doesn’t prolong survival. These are two groups of intelligent, caring people, and there is information to support either of these two views.”

Men in the study will be examined at least every three months the first year and every six months afterward, and periodically they will answer questionnaires about their quality of life. Their doctors will check for any evidence that prostate cancer has progressed, and they will document any changes in the patients’ condition. If the patient dies, for any reason, all of this information will go to an independent review committee, which will study all the accumulated data and determine whether the man’s death was definitely, probably, possibly, or definitely not due to prostate cancer.

The PIVOT study is interesting for several reasons; despite the age limit of its patients—it’s hard to know how many 75-year-old men will be around for the study’s conclusion—the selection criteria seem fairly strict. Men who obviously are not good candidates for surgery, the study’s directors say, will not be included. Also, because of its size, the study promises highly specific results.

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We begin with the kidneys, which lie like bean-shaped bookends, embedded fat and fibrous connective tissue, on either side of the spine at the base of th ribs. They’re located behind the pancreas and beneath the peritoneum, the large sheet of tissue lining the abdomen that encloses and protects the liver, stomach, and bowel.

The kidneys are reddish-brown, and they’re not mirror images. The left kidney tends to be slightly longer, narrower, and situated a little higher than the right, which occupies somewhat cramped quarters just below the liver. The kidneys, on average, are about five inches long, three inches wide, and an inch thick. They are highly vascular: Pound for pound, the kidney handles three to five times more blood than the heart, liver and brain. An amazing 25 percent of the blood from each heartbeat flows through them, and the kidneys cleanse the blood of toxic wastes, excess water and salts. They play a pivotal role in maintaining the body’s balance of fluids and electrolytes (minerals such as sodium, potassium and chloride), as well as the acid-base (pH) ratio in the body. They help metabolize vitamin D, which strengthens bones. They also manufacture renin, which helps regulate blood pressure; and erythropoietin, which regulates the body’s red blood cell count.

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The shoulders

When women expose their shoulders, in strapless tops, swimming costumes, evening dresses, negligees etc, it is sensual. They are inviting the touch of a hand on their very exposed skin, beginning at the shoulder. The smoothness of the skin on shoulders cannot be overestimated. This is an area where men can begin the sensual touching which may ultimately lead to seduction. Many men find it seductive when an exposed shoulder strap slips off a shoulder. Sensual women know they shouldn’t be in too much of a hurry to straighten the strap. The sexiest thing is to let it be. The slipped strap could be the first step to undressing.

The knees

Women’s knees are curvier than men’s. They may not be your number one turn-on, but fashion regularly exposes these curves with short skirts, shorts and skirt slits. Think how often women cross their legs when seated and show a smooth curved knee. Women also know the crossed leg with exposed thigh is powerful. This is one reason mini skirts have always been successful. There are many ‘leg men’ who find well-shaped and good-looking women’s legs the most attractive part of her anatomy. The curves of a woman’s leg, including the shape of the knee, repeat the total curve of the female body. The muscles of the calf, the curve of the instep on the foot, the curve of the upper thigh and the smoothness of these areas emphasised by smooth soft skin and hosiery which flatters, are all seductive.

Men seem to have a preference for a particular part of a woman’s anatomy when sexual excitement is on the agenda. They can be divided into three categories:

* leg men

* bum men

* breast men

These are the body areas that turn them on and with which they make superficial judgments of women. Others are influenced by two out of these three, and some men like all areas of a woman’s body. A woman knows the area of her body which fascinates the man in her life or a potential lover, simply by observing and remembering where his hands move to when seduction begins. Of course, many men will tell you it is the overall impression that counts, including personality, her way of expression and her outlook on life. Nevertheless breasts, legs and backsides are areas of the female body which are noticed in public and many women, with their choice of clothing, emphasise them deliberately.

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There are many variations when it comes to colours and even the names given to them. We will only look at the most popular, which will certainly give you plenty of scope to identify the meaning of the colours you have chosen. If you want to understand, for example, the meaning of cobalt blue, electric blue, baby blue or duck egg blue, read the following basic blue messages, consider your choice of brightness or paleness and make adjustments accordingly. Use this as a general guide for understanding colour in your bedroom.

Do this quick questionnaire. Glance at your bedroom once more. What is the overall colouring? Don’t get hung up on details. Majority impression is what we are after.

What colour have you chosen for:

• the walls……………………………………………………………………….

• the ceiling …………………………………………………………………….

• the floor ……………………………………………………………………..

• the furniture ………………………………………………………………….

* with natural timber floors and furniture decide whether the colour is closest to brown or beige.

What colour is the bedspread or doona cover, sheets and pillowslips? ……………………………………………………………………….

Look at your main bedroom accessories. They add their own colour power, but are minor players.

What colours are the:

• lamps……………………………………………………………………………

• cushions ……………………………………………………………………….

• paintings? ……………………………………………………………………..

Now you have an overview of your predominant colour scheme. We have listed below the colour psychology of your choices. Look at our information for the predominant or major colour in your room and then check the meaning of the other colours you have used for accessories.

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There are two distinct types of Classic bedroom:

1. The traditional style, which uses darker coloured antique furniture, such as rosewood and mahogany. Softly draped chintz type fabrics with traditional (and somewhat old world) designs based on roses are commonly used. Piping and tassels may feature. Traditional is the most detailed and tailored look in Classic style bedrooms.

2. The modern style which uses lighter coloured classically styled furniture which never dates. These pieces are not extreme and probably can’t be given a date. They follow well-accepted style lines. In this modern look, a few antique heirloom pieces are sometimes added because they are quality Classic items. Fabrics still drape well, although they may not necessarily be as tailored as the traditional style. Bedspreads are immaculately smooth and everything has a neat and tidy finish. Sometimes a doona may be used, but it is very smooth, with a pleated rather than gathered valance. It is a well-groomed look though softer and slightly more relaxed than the traditional style.

The female Classic bedroom has either tailored floral fabrics or quality plain fabrics which fall in soft lines. Colours are most likely neutrals with the barest touch of colour to them, or traditional muted blue, green, maroon or dusty pink. It may have some romantic elements to it as well, as the Classic woman often likes to soften the image of the elegant classic style when it comes to bedroom decoration. The room is always neat and tidy and often has soft flowers in traditional vases. The Classic woman is at all times a well-groomed woman.

The male Classic bedroom has the best quality plain fabrics, or geometric patterns such as some tartans, herringbone or other angled lines, usually in fairly subdued, more masculine colours of dark blue, dark green or burgundy, with a neutral contrast of beige. This bedroom has a very elegant, serious look, rather than being soft and inviting. It is always neat and tidy and the bed is always well made.

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The female Contemporary bedroom tends to be the modern style of contemporary bedroom rather than the minimalist style. Fabric designs are abstract and colourful, with combinations of bright blue, pink, turquoise, red, orange and yellow. Multicoloured geometric patterned doonas are combined with matching curtains, plain curtains or wooden slat blinds. Polished wooden floors are common, sometimes with a rug beside the bed as something soft to put feet on in the mornings.

The male Contemporary bedroom is often the minimalist style with more angular lines and no soft decorative elements. Men tend to prefer plain strong-coloured doonas as opposed to the multi-coloured variety. Men also don’t see the need for unnecessary items of furniture or decoration. Polished floorboards are common in the male Contemporary bedroom. Colour is secondary to the design lines of the furniture.

The personality of the Contemporary is similar to the Dramatic: clear, direct yet more relaxed and colourful. Expect contemporary social behaviours to be reflected in terms of rights, sharing of tasks and emotional and sexual expectations. What does a Contemporary person look like? Contemporary. They prefer European designers, or unusually talented local designers. They can display lots of colours put together carefully or adore basic black. A little shine appeals too.

They are usually slim and striking in their appearance, with more angles in the body design than curves and the clothing choices will have angled simplicity which has its own built-in sophistication. An example of a Contemporary was Diana, Princess of Wales.

What will not go down well in the sexual relationship is the mundane or the ordinary. Contemporary people are seemingly sophisticated and almost always very stressed. They work hard and play hard. They lead very full lives. When it comes to sexuality they could well be like the rest of us. ‘Sex? Yes please and a lovely night’s sleep. I am exhausted.’

Key words: sharp, clean, modern, trendy, angular lines, minimal colour or bright multicolour, no fussiness, minimal furniture, minimal decoration, relaxed casual holiday feel.

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The Romantic person’s bedroom has lots of curves in decoration, and in design for bed linen. So your strategy is sensuality. Romantics think and breathe sensuality all the time: in their touching behaviours towards you, in the way they dress and undress, in the way they make the bed and in their attitude to setting the table and cooking food. The Romantic woman full romantic seduction ritual and she is ready for it most days. Start in the morning with loving suggestions and perhaps a phone call during the day if you are at work.

Make sensual and enticing suggestions of what may happen later in the day.

Dinner at a romantic restaurant, with dimmed lights and a seductive atmosphere, or perhaps a lovely view of city lights or moonlight over water is to set her pulse racing. Remember the flowers and there nothing like red or pink roses to set the scene. If dining at choose romantic music, definitely dim the lights and create a sensual bedroom with perhaps rose petals scattered in the bed. Take your time, don’t rush the foreplay. Long and sensual is an important part of the ritual. Soft, tender caresses the passion. Undress her slowly and admire out loud what you see.

The Romantic man also enjoys being treated in a very sensual way. Take a lot of care in planning dinners and special events. Cook dinner for him and invite him to taste as you cook, to be close to you in the kitchen. Get him involved so he can be touched and kissed as the cooking is bubbling along. If you dine out choose an elegant and romantic restaurant, with good atmosphere and subdued lighting or candles. Foreplay is very important. He enjoys the slow seduction process enormously. Expect your underwear to tell him a lot about your intentions.

Make it revealing, have a sense of delicacy and choose pastels or white. You will be good at being coy. Wear alluring perfume, tease him a little and breathe heavily when you are near. And in bed, take your time. Whisper sweet words in his ear and plan how sensual you can be.

Good news: romance is around every curve.

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