53.Sexually Transmitted Infection 2
Sexually Transmitted Infection - HIV and AIDS
What it does
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Isolated in 1983, it belongs to a family of viruses known as retroviruses. Although the syndrome of illnesses associated with HIV infection was only recognised in the early 80s, analysis of stored blood samples reveals it was present as long ago as 1959. A virus is a very simple organism, consisting of an outer coating enclosing genetic material. When a person becomes infected with HIV, the virus enters the cell and the viral genetic material is copied into the gene of the infected cell. These cells will remain infected for the rest of their lives, as HIV uses them as factories to produce more copies, which can then go on to infect more cells. Although many different cells within the body are infected with HIV, it particularly damages cells which are part of the body's defences against infection (the immune system). This is why people with advanced HIV infection are much more susceptible to certain infections (and types of cancer) since the function of the immune system is progressively weakened by the damage done by HIV. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the name given to the collection of illnesses (or syndrome) which someone can get if their immune system has been severely damaged by HIV.
How you get it
Fucking without condoms and sharing needles to inject drugs are the two main ways HIV is transmitted. While there is some risk with other sexual practices such as cocksucking, rimming, finger fucking and fisting, the risks are negligible compared to unprotected fucking, which accounts for a significant number of HIV transmission cases between men. The most effective way to prevent HIV transmission - and protect yourself against many other STIs - is to fuck with condoms or not to fuck at all. That said, it you are determined to fuck without condoms and you aren't sure if you might get HIV or pass it on, there are things you could do that would make it less likely.
Treatment
While there is no cure or vaccine, there is a range of treatments which have improved significantly in recent years. Treatments to fight HIV work in different ways but many aim to make it more difficult for HIV to copy itself, so reducing the amount of virus in the blood. This in turn means that HIV does less damage and reduces the likelihood of an AIDS-related illness. While there have been major advancements in the way we combat HIV, there is neither a cure nor a vaccine and both are unlikely in the near
future.
Sexually Transmitted Infection - Testing for HIV
Once someone is infected, the body will produce antibodies or markers in the blood and these can be detected, usually, after 8-12 weeks of infection, with a blood test. Symptoms associated with HIV are also common to many other medical conditions. A proper check-up and an HIV antibody test will only determine whether you have HIV, the common 'flu or something else. If you are concerned, go to clinic.
The HIV test detects HIV antibodies, not the virus itself. Antibodies are produced after someone has been infected with the virus. HIV antibodies do not effectively remove the virus from your system and so do not make you immune. It can take up to three months after infection for the test to detect antibodies. This means that if you have become infected within the last three months, a test will not necessarily be positive. If you decide to have an HIV test you should think carefully about the possible results. Positive means antibodies are present, negative means they are not. Some people are convinced they are negative but test positive and vice versa. It's natural to speculate but you could be wrong.
A negative test result will mean that you have not got HIV (provided you have not put yourself at risk within the last three months) and that you cannot pass HIV on to anyone else. Recently there have been reports about certain people being immune to HIV. These cases are extremely rare, there are estimated to be only a handful of people in this country. For the majority of gay men, a negative result does not mean they are immune. If you've fucked without a condom in the last 15 years with someone you could not be 100% sure was HIV negative, then you're probably lucky, not immune. A positive test result means you are infected with HIV and can pass it on to someone else. It does not, on its own, necessarily mean that you have AIDS, nor does it tell you if or when you will develop an AIDS-related condition.
If you go for a test at a GUM/sexual health clinic you should be offered the opportunity to talk to a counsellor, a health adviser or a doctor beforehand. Staff are there to ensure that you fully understand what the test involves. They are not there to tell you whether you should have a test or to pressure you into making a decision either way. There may be advantages and disadvantages to taking an HIV test. These will depend on you as an individual and what you think your test result might be. There can be no overall recommendation about testing, it is up to you. If you decide to have an HIV test, think about who you tell that you are having one. If someone knows you are going for a test, they might want to know the result. Would you really want them to know? If you or your partner are thinking about testing, don't put pressure on each other to make a quick decision. Respect each other's choices.
Sexually Transmitted Infection - After an HIV positive diagnosis
Everyone's experience of living with HIV is different. As the news sinks in and you start to come terms with what it means, you may feel like being by yourself or with your partner, chatting with a close friend or someone at the clinic where you received your diagnosis. There are also groups where you can share your experiences with other newly diagnosed gay men, although you won't necessarily ask the same questions or all go through the same feelings and emotions. 'I feel so lonely...', 'I'm so relieved...', and 'there's just so much to think about...' are not unusual responses. And, '...am I going to die?'... 'who gave me it to me?'... 'what am I going to do now?' and '...who should I tell?' are commonly asked questions. The quick answers are 'yes'... 'why does it matter?'...'take your time' and 'no one until you are ready.' But you will also learn that the answers to these and other questions are not necessary black or white, right or wrong, or good or bad. Take things at your own pace. Don't rush into taking decisions or allow yourself to be coerced or bullied into doing things you may later regret. Most things can wait for a while, this includes talking to you family or partner, seeking proper advice before telling your employer (though as a rule you're encouraged not to) or leaving your job and becoming destitute. For some HIV positive gay men, telling others about their status can be as traumatic as coming out as gay. It is important to think carefully about who you want to tell and why. Once you have told someone about being HIV positive, you cannot take the information back. Coming out is a very personal process and should be your choice. Obviously, it can feel very natural to want to tell your partner and/or your family immediately but the response may not be what you expect. It certainly doesn't help to be dealing with other people's crap while still sorting out your own. If, however, you have decided to come out, the following may be helpful:
Be aware that telling people may affect you more than you think and they may not react in the way you expect.
Don't ell people if you don't want them to tell others.
Try and prepare yourself for the questions they may ask or the issues they may bring up.
Try and choose the right time and place.
People have different reasons for coming out. For some it may be to get support or health care whilst others might want their sexual partner(s) to know. Not telling someone about your diagnosis might prevent you getting the support, advice and services that are appropriate to your needs. Whatever reaction you get to coming out, being positive is nothing to be ashamed of.
This online advice guide is an extract from the book TOGETHER, by kind permission of Patriic Gayle and Gay Times Books. The book itself is over 300 pages long and contains:
several chapters more useful advice and information
more in-depth information in some chapters
more pictures and tables
further contacts at the end of each chapter
a comprehensive listing of gay and health organisations
Described by Qx magazine as a 'Gay Bible', Together Book is a practical reference work no bookshelf should be without.
Next: Step By Step & HIV Treatments
