Str8Curious: How Easy Is It for Me to Contract HIV If I Have Gay Sex?
What Are the Real Risks When It Comes to HIV and Having Sex With Other Men?
What Are the Real Risks When It Comes to HIV and Having Sex With Other Men?
Str8Curious is a monthly AskMen column where out and proud lifestyle expert Joey Skladany answers burning questions from heterosexual men about sex, dating, and the LGBTQ+ community. No topic is off limits as he candidly lends advice, debunks stereotypes, and gives it to you straight — err — gay. Should you be interested in submitting a question for editorial consideration (and we will respect anonymity), feel free to ping Joey directly on Instagram or email him at [email protected]).
The Question
“I have recently explored my attraction for males and have been participating in anal sex, both giving and receiving. Without sounding too ignorant, I’m curious to know how easy it may be for someone like me to contract HIV?” – Lamar, Memphis, TN
The Answer
Editor’s Note: Because HIV infection can lead to AIDS, this subject is potentially a matter of life and death. Though medical advances in recent decades have lowered transmission rates and significantly lessened the likelihood of worst-case HIV outcomes, if you’re uncertain about best practices for safer sex or dealing with HIV risk, please consult a medical doctor.
Nothing is sexier than being proactive about your health. And luckily, most of the queer community takes HIV prevention seriously, as it would be a huge disservice to those who not only passed during the AIDS crisis, but also the generations that fought for proper government funding to treat and research the epidemic that faced its peak in the early ‘90s.
While medications PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and emergency PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) will work to prevent, suppress, or stave off HIV, popping these pills like Skittles and hoping for the best is not going to protect you from a long list of other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Here are five things you should know about HIV and general sexual health before going into any behind-closed-door encounters:
1. Use Condoms
Condoms, aside from abstinence, are still the most effective tool in protecting against sexually transmitted infections. While the success rate isn’t 100% due to skin-to-skin infections such as herpes and syphilis, it creates a thin barrier to block the exchange of bodily fluids. Consider using the latex hood if you want to feel the most confident about proactively preventing HIV.
2. Consider Oral Transmission
The risk of HIV transmission via oral sex is extremely low but not impossible. It is important to stress that HIV is not passed through saliva. There must be HIV present in semen, blood, or vaginal fluid that is passed through cuts, sores, or inflammation present in the mouth and/or throat of an HIV-negative person to be at risk. Though minimal, there is still a chance that infection can spread and it is completely up to you and your partner’s comfort and trust levels before participating in condom-free blowjobs. There have been no cases reported of HIV transmission through oral-anal sex.
3. ART Isn’t Everything
Undetectable means untransmittable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice safer sex. If your sexual partner is HIV-positive, then they may be on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to decrease or eliminate their viral load (the amount of HIV detected in their blood). Thanks to breakthroughs in medical research and technology, these medications can suppress the amount of HIV to be extremely low or virtually absent in blood tests. But because these levels can vary at any given moment, especially if an HIV-positive person forgets to take their daily dosage of drugs, it is still extremely important to exercise safer sex practices to keep risk at a minimum.
4. PrEP & PEP
PrEP is effective at preventing HIV, while PEP is necessary for emergency exposure. Should you choose to partake in frequent sexual encounters, you may want to consider PrEP, a daily pill that can reduce the risk of HIV infection by 99%. PEP, on the other hand, is for those who may have been exposed to HIV (especially after unprotected sex). It is typically only effective if taken within 72 hours of exposure and then taken for another month thereafter. Keep in mind that the success rate isn’t 100% and that the sooner you are treated, the better. This is particularly important for those who may find themselves victims of sexual assault and may shy away from seeking immediate medical attention.
5. Get Yourself Tested
Continue to get tested frequently. Many STIs, HIV included, don’t reveal symptoms until weeks or even months after exposure. You could be infecting sexual partners without realizing it and vice versa. It is important to get frequently tested so that you are fully aware of your status. Most doctor’s offices and local LGBTQ+ clinics will offer these tests free of charge.
While HIV and STIs are certified boner killers, they’re very real risks and must be considered before engaging in foreplay and fucking. But with the right amount of preparation, knowledge, and mutual trust, you’ll be able to drop trou and get off without worrying about the repercussions.
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Source: AskMen