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Originally Posted by tymejumper
The info I have states that actually over in Africa, it is considered a straight disease. I work with HIV patients, and have a few friends that are. It always surprises me that people are so afraid of getting it from hugging or kissing. I supose, as Scott pointed out, you could get it from kissing, but the risk is so low to be laughable. There are a few main ways for you to contract HIV
Unprotected sex. Use a condom every single time. Body fluids spread it.
Sharing needles. Don't. Can't say this enough, if you have to shoot, then at least use a clean needle. Or flush it with bleach. HIV is a very delicate virus and dies almost instantly upon contact with surfaces that are not body fluids. Bleach kills it instantly.
Anal sex. Only unprotected anal sex, cause ya know what? hetero couples do that also. Use a condom, enough said.
Gay people are not at a higher risk than heteros. I truly believe its the fact that this newer generation of gay men have grown up with HIV the 'treatable' disease that they give it no thought about barebacking and risky behaviors. Many also feel that they are going to get it, thanks to the lies that have been propegated by the government (read right wing conservatives) about how those dirty sick morally depraved gay people have brought a disease into the straight society...blah blah blah......so they do not take steps to avoid it like they should. Apparently it is spreading in the young african-american crowd because being gay, and black, is considered a terrible thing. More so than what white gay people have to go through(double minority)many black young men are on the LD and they don't use protection.
Lesson to be learned. Use a condom. Every time. No excuses.
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In renewal of my medical license I am researching medical literature. I came across the latest medical literature review on HIV transmission patched below.
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Originally Posted by Up To Date
Last literature review version 17.3: September 2009 | This topic last updated: October 9, 2009
INTRODUCTION — Individuals who are exposed to HIV outside of the occupational setting, such as through sexual exposure or sharing needles, should undergo management to reduce the risk of infection, although it is unclear how best to manage patients who are frequently or continually exposed to HIV.
The recommendations in this topic are largely based on United States CDC guidelines. The most updated versions of the CDC guidelines are available at: aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines/.
RISK OF TRANSMISSION OF HIV
Sexual, needle, and trauma exposure — The exact risk of transmission of HIV with sexual exposure or sharing needles is not known. However, the risk with a s
transmission of HIV with sexual exposure or sharing needles is not known. However, the risk with a single such exposure is probably lower than many patients and providers assume. A cost-effectiveness analysis of PEP reviewed a number of sources and used the following estimates, assuming a source with untreated HIV infection [1]:
· Receptive anal intercourse — 2 percent
· Receptive vaginal intercourse — 0.1 percent
· Insertive anal or vaginal intercourse — 0.06 percent
· Receptive oral sex with a male partner — 0.04 percent
· Other sexual exposure — 0.004 percent
· Needle or syringe sharing — 0.3 percent
· Bite or assault — 0.004 percent
These numbers are imprecise, particularly for the lower risk events, although others have made similar estimates (table 1) [2,3]. The probability of HIV acquisition from a source whose HIV status is unknown would equal the likelihood the source is HIV-positive multiplied by the likelihood of transmission (as listed above). As an example, the prevalence of HIV infection in men aged 18 to 39 in the NHANES study was 0.37 percent [4]. Thus, the risk of transmission following a single episode of receptive vaginal intercourse would be approximated by multiplying 0.0037 times 0.001 for an estimate of 0.000037 (ie, 1 in ~37,000).
This estimate would depend on the likelihood that the source is HIV positive; this possibility varies by gender, age, ethnicity and other factors such as drug use. In addition, the risk of transmission appears to be affected by the stage of disease (acute HIV seroconversion or advanced AIDS) and by viral load; the risk of sexual transmission is also increased by traumatic injury and by the presence of genital lesions [5,6]. The viral load in the source is especially important since prior studies in discordant couples have shown a 2.5 fold increase in the risk of transmission for each log increase in viral load [7]; with a viral load < 1000 copies/mL (as seen with most treated patients), there were no transmissions.
There are no documented cases of HIV being transmitted bykissing.
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In short, While using a condom every time is the best way to prevent transmission, I feel it is important to educate other options for prevention.
One time receptive anal sex with an HIV positive untreated man, the highest risk sexual activity for transmission, has a 1 in 50 chance of infection with HIV.
While no longer universally fatal, HIV is commonly fatal and a damn dangerous and life-complicating disease. Also Survival benefits depend heavily on early detection by testing followed by treatment
So Would you Drive on the highway without a seat belt? (A lot less than 1:50 risk of death)
On the other hand, Not every male is sexually functional with a condom.
The
"use a condom every time no excuses postition" for such individual's comes across as a little like Nancy Reagan's "Just say no" approach for such men.
...And some people ride motorcycles on the highway.--(no seat belt)
If you know your partner(s) you can reduce risk of transmission. Ask yourself knowing the risk, "is the risk
acceptable and is this
worthwhile intimacy before engaging in bareback anal sex?"
If the answer is no, then move on. If it is yes then at least you are not making a fatalistic all or none risk decision.
(Just as a motorcyclist can wear helmet to reduce potential for fatal or disabling injury)
Live freely and don't fear to love. I recommend being reasonably careful for yourself and others. We do not have to choose fatalistic unaccountablity to have intimacy.