GenQ - For the not so straight individual

When I was younger, I remember being terrorised by the graphic public service campaign of the gream reaper. I remember the death of Ryan White. HIV and AIDS seem very foreign then. Although my generation has luckily not been as impacted as previous ones, HIV/AIDS does hit closer to home within the gay community.

Anytime I have a fever, diarrhea, fatigue or the flu I have to admit I am anxious about HIV/AIDS. I know the chances are low that I would be infected but every time I get tested I live out a scenario of life as a positive man. I am pretty sure that some of my past sexual partners were probably HIV positive. The statistics are something like 1 in 6 gay men are HIV positive in Sydney. You cannot tell by looking at someone whether they are HIV positive.

What brought all this on? I have flu symptons. I know it is probably nothing'but the doubt is always there. I have to admit unsafe sex in a at least a few occassions in the last month. I know I should know better but sometimes in the heat of the moment you revert to unhealthy habbits.
HIV is spread through bodily fluids: blood, semen (including pre-seminal fluid), vaginal fluid and breast milk.

Although the virus is found in saliva, tears, and sweat, the viral level is very low and there are no known cases of infection by these liquids. Keep in mind, however, that your saliva can contain blood. HIV is clearly a sexually transmitted disease. It can be spread through any form of sex in which the bodily fluids of one person get into the bloodstream of another. Some sexual acts are more risky than others. Anal and vaginal intercourse can cause ruptures to the skin that make it even easier for the virus to enter the bloodstream. Oral sex between men is less dangerous but still risky, since the virus could pass from the semen into a tiny cut inside the mouth.

HIV infection rates have increased in several Australian states this year. The majority of new cases are gay men between 35 and 45 years old, according to statistics by various AIDS organisations. It seems some of us are forgetting the safe sex message. Some believe that the new anti-viral drugs mean people no longer die from HIV. The use of some drugs is also having an impact on rising HIV rates. Various studies have found that gay men are not using condoms during sex to increase intimacy and relationship.

Recent studies indicate men finding sex online have more partners and more unprotected anal sex than those who don't, and that those two things are associated with higher rates of HIV and STD infections. I definitely fall under this category!

HIV/AIDS is not an epedemic of the 1980's but still a reality. An estimated 14,840 people were living with HIV in Australia at the end of 2005, according to Health statistics. Twenty million people have died of aids, most of them in Africa, where the epidemic grows more devastating every year, as it does in places like China, Russia, and India. Ten thousand people die each day'seven every minute'and seventeen thousand more become infected.

In 2005, AIDS incidence in Australia (1.2 per 100,000 population) was higher than that in Germany (0.6) but lower than that in the UK (1.4), according to ACON.

What can we as young do to be safer? Practice safe sex. Load up on the free condoms at Fair Day or from ACON. Do not share a razor or toothbrush with someone who has HIV. Know your status and that of your partners. Always assume your sexual partners are HIV positive, this way you are always safe. Education and knowledge is important, get tested for HIV and other STI's regularly. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about sexual health. Do not assume it cannot happen to you. Life is too short. So, that is my public service announcement for this week.

Time to check out this sore throat. I promise to try to be less risky and smarter about safe sex! If you are serious about safe sex why not joing the Rug Up campaign this winter. More details at http://rugup.org.au/.