Most gay men participate in anal sex, and this creates some specific health concerns if you are a member of this community. Anal sex, as compared to any other type, is more risk-prone with regard to transmission of sexually transmitted diseases or infections: especially Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This is because the anus and lining of the rectum is much more thin than vaginal lining and is more prone to allowing the HIV virus into the human body[1].

 

HIV is highly infectious and highly dangerous. In 2010, 63% of all new HIV infections were counted among gay and bisexual men. And though there are around 14,611 men who have been diagnosed with HIV, there are still many men that do not know that they have the disease[2]. 

There are many ways that gay men can prevent the spread of HIV: using condoms, taking PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) drugs after potential HIV exposure to reduce contraction risk[3], and taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) drugs to prevent HIV infection if you are at high risk for contracting the disease[4]. PEP is available as an emergency drug after unintended HIV exposure and is available at doctor’s offices, emergency rooms, urgent care facilities, and local HIV clinics[5]. PrEP is available by prescription[4].

 

PrEP is intended for gay and bisexual men who:

• Have a partner with HIV,

• Have had anal sex without using condoms,

• Have been diagnosed with an STD in the past six months,

• And heterosexual men and women who regularly have sex with people of unknown HIV status[1].

 

Condoms are a good choice whenever one has sex. They help prevent against many STDs. However, they must be used correctly to ensure that one is protected from such STDs. However, there is still risk involved in having sex with an HIV positive person. Condoms are never 100% effective[1].

 

Oral sex presents virtually no risk for contracting HIV, but transmission is not impossible[1].

 

Another risk that the gay community faces is drug use. Some use alcohol and other drugs as a negative coping mechanism for abuses they face, while others use drugs while having sex[6]. In the case of hard drug use, the risk for HIV or other STD/STI infection is increased as hard drug use is often accompanied by needle sharing, an unsafe and unsanitary practice[7].

 

ADDITIONAL HIV FACTS

 

• HIV is spread mainly through two routes: 1. having unprotected (condomless) anal or vaginal sex and 2. Sharing needles during intravenous drug use[8].

 

• Stigma behind four groups, the “four H’s,” has prevented HIV eradication during the past thirty years. These four groups are: homosexuals (gay men), Haitians, hemophiliacs, and heroin addicts. In particular, because HIV is often seen as a “gay disease,” people such as straight women (among others), do not feel at risk for HIV when they really are participating in high risk behavior[8].

 

• It is important to focus on two types of HIV prevention techniques and education strategies: 1.Primary: “preventing HIV infection among uninfected individuals”[8]. 2.Secondary: “reducing the HIV transmission risk behavior among individuals already infected”[8].

 

[1] "Prevention." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 Feb. 2016. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prevention.html#ui-id-5>.

[2] "HIV Among Gay and Bisexual Men." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 Sept. 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/msm/index.html>.

[3] "PEP." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Jan. 2016. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/pep.html>.

[4] "PrEP." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Feb. 2016. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.html>.

[5] "Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)." Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 21 Sept. 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/prevention/reduce-your-risk/post-exposure-prophylaxis/>.

[6] "Substance Use." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 Feb. 2016. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/msmhealth/substance-abuse.htm>.

[7] "HIV, Hepatitis and Other Infectious Diseases." HIV, Hepatitis and Other Infectious Diseases. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Dec. 2012. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. <https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/medical-consequences-drug-abuse/hiv-hepatitis-other-infectious-diseases>.

[8] Pantalone, David W., Jae A. Puckett, and Hamish A. Gunn. "Psychosocial Factors and HIV Prevention for Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men." Social and Personality Psychology Compass 10.2 (2016): 109-22. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.