What misconceptions about AIDS infuriate you?

People who are 'infuriated' by people. Need to look to themselves.

Being on PrEP means you can have sex with anyone at anytime and don't have to worry about any diseases.

This is false. Doctors recommend that people ALSO use condoms. And you can still catch other diseases even while on PrEP. There is no silver bullet. The bottom line is that we all still have to be careful and exercise good judgment to keep ourselves and our partners safe!

that you can get the aids from toilet seat.

hint: only gonorrhea!!!

Is one allowed to use the word 'AIDS' anymore?

I thought the word was cancelled.

I'm on PrEP and don't require condoms anymore. I know you can get the clap, but you can't die from the clap or crabs. So I'm good and get regular checkups.

For certain age groups there is still a lot of trauma around HIV, which causes them to hold on to some outdated beliefs on the disease.

I boast that I'm HIVU.

R5's attitude is what got us into the AIDS crisis in the first place.

To answer OP's question, I would say that it is infuriating that people think they just have to take some pills for HIV and that's that. Like the medications are like vitamins and don't do long-term damage. Yes, yes they can and frequently do.

I thought the word AIDS was cancelled foo.

"HIV is no longer a death sentence. Thousands of people live with it normally nowadays"

This is hiding all the long term health issues that many HIV positive people can develop on the long run.

R9 That goes for the mass of the population especially as they get older. Diabetes, obesity, smoking, inactivity, HIV is just one of the those complications. No one constantly rants and stigmatizes people with all that because that would be almost everyone you know.

And r2 Miss Prissy Pants, everyone knows you can still get all that, why did you feel the need to say that? Because you want to stigmatize those with HIV and be sex negative. The straights bareback all the time, even your mother took loads and you don't know if it was just your father's loads either.

God I hate gay men.

[quote] God I hate gay men.

So what are you, R10?

R2 do you use condoms for blowjobs? Because if not I have some bad news :)

That you can get it from French kissing. My grandpa was an engineer & so we thought he was omniscient; he told us about the nerves in the tongue being close to the skin, or some such, which would make it transmissible. It almost made sense…in 1985

What R7 said, x 1000.

That Doctor Anthony Fauci was a champion and cared deeply.

Here eat this AZT ...

That Danielle Pintauro didn't get it by letting strangers finish the job in her poopoohole.

While not "infuriating" per se, the idea - spread by AIDS activists understandably trying to promote their cause by scaring as many people as possible - that men engaging in heterosexual sex were as much as risk as their gay counterparts. It was never true, but to this day I encounter young people who believe this "big lie."

I’m infuriated at the people that cause the infuriation.

I don't know if she was telling the entire truth, but Barbara Valentine said that Freddie Mercury's ex-girlfriend's partner was horrified that she and Freddie always pecked on the lips or on the cheek when they met and parted and supposedly said that she shouldn't "kiss that fag" last she get sick herself. Obviously, I was a kid then, but they were THAT ignorant by the late 1980's? They actually thought you could get HIV from a small kiss? That is also pretty infuriating.

Another one that infuriates me is hearing that nobody dies of AIDS anymore.

People spreading misinformation about AIDS on the internet and endangering the health of others.

R5 Says "I'm on PrEP and don't require condoms anymore." [We know this is an old queen since nobody says "the clap" anymore. I think I heard that once in an old Black and White WWII Movie lol]

If you care about your health, that is simply NOT TRUE - unless you have a monogamous partner. Otherwise, yeah you do require a condom.

Great points R5 and R6,

There are MANY STIs that do not go away once contracted, and if left untreated, yes you CAN DIE from them. Diseases include: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Genital herpes, Hepatitis B and C, Genital warts (HPV), Syphilis, Zika virus.

It's ill advised to rely SOLELY on a pill or medical testing (neither of which are foolproof) to protect your health. It starts with your own choices and taking responsibility for your health and those you have sex with.

Translation: don't be a fool!

And R10 that is a lot of rambling. What I get from it is that you are HIV+. Sorry that happened to you and I hope you are taking care of yourself. But in your attempts to put a positive spin on your condition, don't spread misinformation. That is really despicable!

[quote]For certain age groups there is still a lot of trauma around HIV, which causes them to hold on to some outdated beliefs on the disease.

R5 is absolutely correct. For many men of those age groups (in which I fall), escaping AIDS seemed some mad stroke of luck, or maybe the fruits of their extreme caution.

Instead of being happy that infection is now easily and effectively preventable, and is easily managed for those who are infected, they cling to the mantra of ineffective condoms, of "hey fellas, be safe out there," of equating gonorrea or Chlamydia with death itself; they are stuck on obsolescent side-effects of Crixivan belly and wasting syndrome when the reality is periodic monitoring of cholesterol levels; and worst of all they want to blame people like R5 for not taking seriously enough the next act of God's wrath in creating a new apocalyptic disease that targets gay men because they just won't do right.

Statistically the number of PrEP users who also use condoms is equal to the number of people who really do prefer rimming with a dental dam. And there's no reason that that should be otherwise or that the overly cautious advice to use condoms as dual protection is antiquated in light of findings in the wake of widespread PrEP use

R22 nobody is saying you MUST use condoms. I am saying Truvada is not the answer for everything. While antiviral drugs are effective in preventing and treating HIV it leaves people unprotected from a whole host of other diseases. These are great break through drugs which we all should be grateful for, but don't miss the forest for the trees. We all STILL have to make smart choices.

This is kind of scary- you all need to know that antibiotic resistant infections are on the rise. My husband has one (not STI related), and it’s cost us $100,000s of dollars and a lot of painful medical procedures. I’d hate to think of someone saying “it’s just chlamydia” and it doesn’t respond to treatment... you will die from that.

“AIDS came from gay men having butt sex with monkeys.”

[quote]God I hate gay men.

You'll fit in nicely here.

Like a penis in a vagina.

[R25], that's because the monkeys didn't use condoms.

[quote] “AIDS came from gay men having butt sex with monkeys.”

Davy, Mickey, Mike, or Peter?

R23 yes but regarding the bacterial infections, if you don’t use a condom for blowjobs then you’re as exposed as if you’re not using a condom for anal, only it’s in a different part of your body. Now unless you’re advocating for condoms for oral you’re just plain old dumb.

And you’re deluuuuuuuuded if you think people are going around using condoms for blowjobs just deluded.

Do you understand this yes?

Assuming I'm on PrEP, what STI/STDs am I most likely to be exposed to going to bathhouses?

That with six strains you get eggroll.

With all the cunts talking about eating ass and you people are crazy, and yes gay men are fucked up and sex negative. That's how they're shitty parents raised them, to hate themselves and be ashamed of what they are. No straights rant about barebacking and most women don't use condoms they use the pill or implant. So fuck you gays and continue to stigmatize each other, you will never break free from your engrained self hate and instability. You know it's true but will never admit it.

HIV and AIDS threads never, EVER, go well on DL. Too much trolling, ignorance, PTSD, or bitterness.

"You can contract HIV just by listening to Liza's "Results" album."

"$100,000s of dollars" ???? What bacterial STI does he have? EBOLA?

"You all knew how to avoid it! But you got it, dirty whores! I'm a good boy and stayed in the basement with my Madame Alexander dolls! Since 1983! I have frottage one time a year with a friend, who must present a recent HIV negative test and we don't do any penetration - neither oral nor anal. We put a layer of Saran Wrap between us. I have UV lights installed over the vinyl bench we use. And an anti-viral misting system!"

The taxpayers DON"T have t pay for Truvada.

That women spread HIV.

R39 women spread HIV thru breastfeeding, pregnancy to child, sharing needles also. Specificity is important.

R30 why are you telling me this? I answered the OP's question. I could give a shit what you or anybody else does. Flaming at me won't change the science.

You seem a little slow so let's go over this again. Condoms are effective when used correctly to protect against many STIS (not all). Antiviral drugs are effective for treating and preventing HIV (but not in every case and not for everyone) and they do not protect you against many other serious (and yes in some cases deadly) diseases. if you have any kind of sex (anal, oral or vaginal) with another person then you are at risk for STIs. Your degree of risk depends on your specific facts and circumstances.

The biggest misconception is that Drs. rubbers or pills will save you if you repeatedly behave like a fool. They won't. There it is. Deal with it!

R41 my doc said there are no more untreatable cases of HIV. There are effective drugs for all strains. So please inform us of the HIV cases that cannot be treated in 2021.

I'm waiting.

[quote] There are effective drugs for all strains.

Who pays for all these drugs?

That the term 'self-hatred' is some sort of clinical diagnosis or symptom

Here is your answer R42: If your doctor said that, he lied! Everyone cannot take every drug. Everyone does not have the same genetic make up and some people have pre-existing conditions. So everyone cannot use PrEP etc. for prevention. Do some reading or perhaps learn something about how drugs work.

[quote] There are MANY STIs that do not go away once contracted, and if left untreated, yes you CAN DIE from them. Diseases include: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Genital herpes, Hepatitis B and C, Genital warts (HPV), Syphilis, Zika virus.

Zika virus

BWAHAHAHA

Excellent job trolling OP. You’ve triggered the PTSD ancient sexless geezers, as was your intention.

Whenever PreP is discussed here DL, there’s always a cry of “what about other STIs? PreP won’t protect you.” Yes, true but I think most people who still use condoms for anal, but don’t use condoms for oral.

Of course, oral sex is a vector for STIs. I’m speaking from experience, I once got from gonorrhea in my throat from oral, i know this because at the time i never did anal. And other time i got chlamydia from a hand job! I told this story before on DL and was called a liar but it’s true. I jerked a guy off and then jerked myself with the same hand. A couple of days later clamdia symptoms.

So all you pearl snatchers, going on about STIs and PreP, you better be using condoms for anal and oral for both active and passive roles, and dental dams for rimming before coming after PreP users.

That AIDS is a punishment from God for being gay!

But God LOVES Lesbians!

I hate how they spread the lie that AIDS was created and spread by Gay men, and that only Gay men can contract AIDS! I can't fucking stand how it's still associated with Gay men and referred to as the Gay man's disease.

I love this place, have been on here a long time, but there are lot of people on here who are terrified of just about everything. I hit puberty in the 80s and was in college in the 90s, gay sex was scary for us GenXers. But you got to let that stuff go; and you have to stop worrying about some kind of new Super AIDS and just live your life. Young millennials and GenZers are fucking like the boomers did before AIDS hit. And while I'm sure there are some gays out there still practicing safe sex, I don't think many are.

Abstinence. Best way to prevent all of this.

Who pays for all these drugs?

They same ones who pay for all the diabetes and HBP, heart disease meds from being fat and lazy. There are only 1.2 million people living with HIV so it doesn't compare even if the drugs are expensive. The common diseases like diabetes completely dwarf the cost HIV meds.

So everyone cannot use PrEP etc. for prevention

There are several meds approved for PreP so yes, virtually everyone can use PreP, dont make a statement when you don't know what you're talking about.

Gonorrhea is quickly becoming untreatable . Only one class of antibiotics can still be counted on against it. Untreatable gonorrhea is not something you want to deal with.

Trans folx of color suffered the most during the AIDS crisis.

I think main one is this idea that HIV is just a chronic illness indistinguishable from other chronic illnesses. Uh, no. There are all kinds of complications that go along with having HIV. It’s not a death sentence in and of itself because we can treat it, but it’s nothing to be casual about.

[quote] Gonorrhea is quickly becoming untreatable

There hasn’t been a single case of untreatable gonorrhea ever lol.

"I'm young, hawt, work out several times a week, and have sex most days topping and bottoming. I am not on PrEP and I never use condoms and I won't ever get infected because I am young, hawt, and work out several times a week."

Only cephalosporins can be counted on to treat newer strains of gonorrhea. The older antibiotics often fail. When the bacteria become resistant to that, there's nothing new in the pipeline to replace it.

[quote] there's nothing new in the pipeline to replace it.

Sorry wrong again. Maybe go look it up.

My husband is HIV positive and I would fight with my last breath for everything he needs to stay healthy, BUT-

Unless you’re HIV positive, you can’t truly understand the day to day issues, health problems and limitations it poses long term.

It bothers me that youth are still seroconverting with all the information at their fingertips and that GMHC mutes their education so as not to stigmatize those that are positive.

indistinguishable from other chronic illnesses. Uh, no.

You're right but your protestations are what makes it right. No one rants like gay men do about barebacking and no one rants about fat lazy slobs who have diabetes, because it has nothing to do with sex, especially gay sex. Gay men have been beat down so much that I feel like many have PTSD just for living as gay men. Your whole post proves that. It is now just a chronic illness just like heart disease and diabetes, except sex is involved, and which gays have been told forever that they are flithy human beings.

R62 I'm sorry your husband has so much trouble. I have HIV and an AIDS diagnosis and almost most died, but it's hard for me to pin point that my other maladies are definitely from HIV. I have HBP and high triglycerides, but is that from the HIV or because I'm fat? Many many people my age have the same thing. I have leg pain which could be neuropathy but is it to do with my bad back? I'm forgetful but is it the HIV or is it aging? It could all be from HIV of course but who knows?

[quote] Another one that infuriates me is hearing that nobody dies of AIDS anymore.

That's because no one does. Or dies of cancer. Or of heart attacks. Unless you're shot or stabbed to death, your death is 'COVID Related".

Whenever I read or hear anyone use the ridiculous term "sex negative", as I have in this thread, I always think it's being used by someone who isn't as comfortable with how promiscuous they've been in their life as they'd like people to believe they are.

R66 that’s on you baby

^^^You're obviously talking about me you cunt. I could have got infected the first time I had sex with a man, so that throws that stigmatized comment out. I guess every woman who has had an unintended pregnancy is a promiscuous slut too. As I said up thread, gay men are some of the worst people there are, and which I hate with a passion, they are the most unforgiving and bitter people I know.

[quote]I think main one is this idea that HIV is just a chronic illness indistinguishable from other chronic illnesses. Uh, no. There are all kinds of complications that go along with having HIV. It’s not a death sentence in and of itself because we can treat it, but it’s nothing to be casual about.

What are these complications? I'm not saying that they don't exist, only that you are referring to a collective past of complications that is much less a reality now than you suggest.

For more than 22 years I've taken HIV medications (one pill a day for almost the entirety of that time), seen a specialist doctor regularly (now twice a year), looked after my health generally, and gone about my life with no side-effects of the least note, no opportunistic infections, no drug resistance, stable lab results, and nothing out of the ordinary other than an awareness of the infection and of the importance of looking after myself, however simple that may be. I count myself as very fortunate but not as very rare. I was diagnosed at just the time that a finally effective and with minimal side-effect drug became available. People who have had the infection for more than a quarter-century are much more likely to have complications of HIV, largely as a result of that time when inferior medicines left them exposed to an array of opportunistic infections and of long-term side effects of those early drugs, like peripheral neuropathy, for example. Long-term survivors of a quarter-century+ have had a different experience than me, absolutely, the difference being almost wholly from those early years of treatment before more effective and less toxic drugs were available. The few years difference between us makes a very big difference as most people are aware. Issues of accelerated aging effects and increased susceptibility to some aspects of aging are indeed worrisome complications, but for people who have been on HIV Meds for more than 25 years including earlier generation drugs that layer on some brutal and long-term side effects.

But for the people who began treatment around the time that I did or later, it's a simpler treatment story. No one is saying it's not a life-threatening illness but what are these "all kinds of complications that go along with having HIV" and how is HIV a chronic illness that is so seriously distinguishable in its everyday severity from other chronic illnesses? One pill a day and a doctor's visit twice a year is not a grave morass of complications. Of course everyone's story is different, but drug resistance and major side effects are not a worry for the vast majority of people diagnosed NNRTI HAART therapy and later. It may be no more casual an issue than ever to have a potentially life-threatening illness, but there's no basis to paint a picture of great misery and pain in the everyday burden of taking one pill.

There's a generation or generations that responds as if they are somehow disappointed when people with HIV don't have great complications in their daily lives, aren't in pain, suffering from long lists of side effects, that their prognosis is to not quite their jobs early unless they have a lot of money saved because their life expectancy is not cut to the quick, not severely curtailed, but in the normal range. They want to make a big dramatic story fraught with danger where there is a boring one of a one-a-day pill and reasonable prudence toward general health.

Well R69 you're wasting your time because some people on DL have irreversible PTSD, or low information skills, and then their are the trolls out to spread doom on anything.

R42/R54 So now you are saying "virtually" everyone can use PreP." That sure as hell isn't the lie you initially told on your doctor. You said "there are no more untreatable cases of HIV." LOL I guess you realized how stupid you looked making absolutes about medical solutions. LOL Yeah dude, science doesn't work that way. There are always variables. Moron! LOL

That you can touch Charlie Sheen without getting HIV/AIDS. Good luck with that!

^^^^^Even drug resistant cases of HIV can be treated now with new drugs, so no there is no untreatable cases anymore. And drug resistant HIV is from the old meds or not taking the meds, not some super HIV. Do you even have HIV? How are you qualified to make comments? When was the last time you sat down with a HIV doctor?

R71 is too stupid to imagine more than one person gave him pushback here.

It’s infuriating that because HIV isn’t seen as a risk anymore that you don’t see aggressive campaigns to stay negative marketed to today’s younger gay men- UNLESS they’re willing to take Prep.

Yes, as an elder gay I was terrified of catching it, but I feel the idea that it’s just as treatable as herpes or diabetes is kind of misplaced. It’s 99% AVOIDABLE- through getting to know people better, being honest about one’s status, and taking age-old precautions other than just condoms if you’re going to have sex. The challenge today is pharma pretty much dictates marketing and funds that nonprofit organizations rely on and the people they serve depend on drug rebates, so they very much lean into the trope of “avoiding stigma” for those with HIV that would see the ads. They make more money selling Truvada rather than telling teens to be more proactive, creating dialogue about being negative- or avoiding predatory relationships or situations lwhere their health might be compromised.

Sex without condoms and regular STD checkups can result in unchecked syphilis- which makes it much, much easier to get HIV. My ex caught HIV this way- and only found out because he was in the final stages of syphilis and had leg edema. He was in a high risk group, an illegal immigrant as well and didn’t have access to proper healthcare.

I’d venture to say if you asked the average teen for ten ways they could avoid HIV they wouldn’t have very good answers.

R75...You, like a few others here, speak rationally & with basic realism. However, the pushback & defensiveness you'll likely receive in replies just proves your point about the grip big pharma (and willful complacency) has on the current generation & dialogue concerning HIV.

It’s infuriating to think HIV meds will stay at the costs they are now-

Or assume that future administrations, drug makers or investors will keep the carefully laid pricing safeguards and governmental protections in place that the HIV positive need to stay alive. If for some reason one of the ingredients suddenly became unavailable or scarce, or pricing tripled or quadrupled because of global unrest- it would put a lot of people in a very precarious position unless they’re wealthy.

Also, the environmental disasters that are occurring regularly will override any other federal budgeting other than military.

R77 here, let me clarify-

It’s infuriating to me that people might have a cavalier attitude about serocoverting-

Assuming that for the rest of their lives- with all the political, economic and personal financial strife that we are currently experiencing-

that they will always have immediate, easy and affordable access to HIV medication.

Some men who were so "terrified of catching it" when HIV was a deadly disease are unhappy for their perceived sacrifice and want reparations for their lost opportunities, their "playing safe," their learning to love condoms, for doing good when others did bad, and for all that hand-wringing and worry and not having sex. Staying alive and well isn't reward enough it seems, they want others to suffer. Happy, healthy AIDS patient? That's ridiculous; we like ours are wasted away and pitiful!

They can't be happy for that the prognosis has changed. They miss the good old days of chronic diarrhea, of visible physical debilitation and weakness, of home food deliveries and AIDS buddies, of hospitalizations (plural and frequent), of 53 pills a day and each with big side effects... They sound like Nancy Fucking Just Say No Reagan with their antique mantra of slow down, dialogue amongst yourselves!, get to know one another, have you considered frottage?, hey, abstinence is sexy! and nothing beats a hand job wearing double layer latex gloves! "Be honest about your status"? How about be honest with yourself about managing your own health risks instead of trying to make people who do so come off as disgusting sluts, or leaving the burden on others to take on the burden of protecting you?

R79, I wrote the above posts- my husband is HIV positive, I’m negative and no, I’m not terrified of catching it or revere anything about the old days. But I’ve also been in abusive and predatory relationships as a teenager, and thank God there were people that stepped in and got me out of them because I didn’t know any better. If you look at most of the highest risk groups nowadays, it’s inner city, intravenous drug users and teenagers- kids preyed upon by older people that either don’t know their own status or don’t care. If not from a broken home like me, they have parents that ignore, refuse or are too openly hostile to gays to explain.

It’s still very much an epidemic. Educating people about making better choices- not frottage- will change that.

We are fortunate that we now have drugs to combat even the most serious illnesses. But not everyone has easy, affordable access to health care and the necessary medications. And if they do - for now - they can't be sure they will always have the same access and the means to pay for their meds. Losing your insurance is a sobering experience and relying on the public healthcare system is a constant struggle.

Mutual J-O is the only safe sex.

R81 Everyone has access thru Ryan White, you just have to go and ask for it. I pay for NOTHING and I'm very thankful and humbled for it. I got medicare at 47 and part D, and since my state rolled out Medicade I get that too, plus dental. The only thing I have to do is recertify twice each year which is as easy as calling my AOC and initiating it. So your statement is not valid.

R73 Listen dipshit, I don't need to have HIV or AIDS to know about it. And I'm not gonna cite references or show you fucking credentials. LOL Who the fuck are you? The Professor? HAHA! Google is free, do your own damn research and stop quoting what some whore told you. LOL

At this point, I'm convinced that you either work for Big Pharma and feel it's your job to keep shoving drugs upon young healthy people desperate to have sex with no mention of the debilitating side effects that will eventually catch up with them. OR you really are just a fucking idiot with low self esteem and a bunch of psycho-sexual issues that you are trying to work out by throwing yourself at as many men as possible... and they then run through you like toilet paper! LOL

R74 If this again is you Professor, you really are an absolute idiot! I don't care about your fucking pushback and pretending to be different people. LOL

Besides, do you think because maybe another fool agrees with your bullshit that it makes you right? LOL You really are stupid aren't you? You people on the internet really are funny. LOL I don't run with herds or mobs especially when they are in denial and making self-serving statements - as you are. I hope the herd protects you when you're sick & dying from the multiple infections Truvada didn't protect you from. Most of these obnoxious morons will just say "ooh look at his face wasting, he's not hot anymore." As the mother said in the movie Carrie: "They're all gonna laugh at you!" LOL

[quote]since my state rolled out Medicade

Is this anything like lemonade?

R68, go fuck yourself.

And what are you doing here, you piece of shit?

[quote] A couple of days later clamdia symptoms.

I had that once after the Red Lobster.

^^^No I dont work for the pharma companies. But I do know that anyone that goes off like that is BAT SHIT CRAZY and unstable. No wonder we have mass shootings every day. Go eat some broken glass, you would be better off dead.

It's funny how some DL'ers talk about the medical risks of PreP or the long-term consequences of HIV treatment while dismissing the short-term risks of steroid use. As compared to men on PreP or HIV medicine, your ideal buff dreamboat will be dead way sooner than those of us on PreP or HIV meds.

It's easy to tire of the old post-sex fear mongers, pity whores, and

The "Hey, guys, be careful out there" proponents of condoms on top of PrEP are never happy. For them a single case if crabs in the Western World is a harbinger of loose morals and impending damnation of gay men with an even more brutal wave of disease brought upon themselves

They bring out their crocodile tears and that certain number they all have of "after attending funerals for 60 [or 90 or 2000] of my dearest friends I stopped counting." Unfucking likely; this weepy lot inevitably have tons of dead friends (and strangely no living ones) and stopped keeping up with treatment developments way before NNRTIs. In the constant recollection of their funeral takes, they forget that gay men pre-AIDS had STIs to contend with, just as straights have had for all of history and before. They want a simple cause = effect equation of sex = death, that gays bring disease upon themselves as punishment for imprudence. Science and history are cast aside in favor of feigned concern and ridiculous over caution. PrEP and a double-bagged dick and a dental dam for a peck on the cheek is never enough for them, they still worry that the next smite upon gays for their very wickedness is right around the corner.

That AIDS primarily affects gay men. Worldwide most of those with HIV/AIDS are heterosexual.

I find it most infuriating-

That aside from caring for the sick and dying any better or protecting the blood supply quicker- that activists thought Reagan somehow could’ve made that much of a difference finding the meds or speeding up research that would save lives any faster than they did. I would argue it was actually his inaction that spearheaded the unwavering resolve of people like Larry Kramer and others-

It was ACT UP that forced doctors to collaborate and pool research.

You have more power in your phone than all of NASA did in 1981. The World Wide Web and easily sharing info didn’t come online until the early 90’s raw speed and aggregate computing power that allowed heightened research (DNA and genetic sequencing, etc.)

No matter how many billions of dollars Reagan might have thrown at AIDS back then- the truth is it was private investment in UNRELATED business sectors that brought the solution more than a decade later.

R90, that's a person assessment of the attitudes of many Dlrs. Bravo! Sending you a virtual hug and happy holiday wishes.

[quote] I'm on PrEP and don't require condoms anymore. I know you can get the clap, but you can't die from the clap or crabs. So I'm good and get regular checkups.

I do not understand this at all.

From the CDC:

[quote] In 2014, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men accounted for 83% of primary and secondary syphilis cases where sex of sex partner was known in the United States.

During secondary syphilis, a person is highly contagious and spreads the disease.

From Aidsmap.com:

[quote] New state-level data reveal that syphilis cases continue to rise among gay and bisexual men in the US, with men in the south having the highest rates, according to a presentation at the 2016 STD Prevention Conference last week in Atlanta. A related study found that half of gay and bisexual men in 20 US cities were screened for syphilis during the past year, with 11% testing positive.

11 PERCENT were walking around with syphilis not knowing they had it. Do you know what untreated syphilis does to the body? It destroys your organs, including your heart and your brain. Yes, it can be cured with mega-shots of penicillin but the damage it causes to tissue including brain damage cannot be undone.

Gay men who have unprotected sex are at a higher risk of contracting hepatitis C.

People who are HIV-positive are at significantly higher risk of contracting hepatitis C, likely because they engage in riskier behaviors (unsafe sex).

Most people don't get tested for hepatitis C, just as they don't get tested for syphilis. Both are insidious diseases. They often produce no or unnoticed symptoms at first, go dormant for a decade or decades and ravage the body while they are dormant.

From CDC: "Chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, and even death."

Hepatitis C now can be cured with medication that takes a year and costs approximately $100,000. Health insurance in the US often will NOT pay for this treatment except for impoverished people who have no income. Many people who are diagnosed with hep C are told to wait until the virus does severe damage to their lives before insurance will foot the bill, and that damage can't be undone.

An estimated 3 million people in the US have chronic hep C and have no idea at all because they don't get tested. It's destroying their livers and if they are having sex, they are spreading it around.

Enjoy swapping loads.

Loads, GIMME MORE LOADS!