Why it’s important to protect yourself.
HIV
(data provided by the STOP AIDS Project of San Francisco)
Who has it? Approximately 1 in 4 gay or bisexual men in San Francisco are HIV-positive. Of those positive men, at least 20% do not know their positive status. This happens because they’ve never been tested, they’ve tested but never gone for the results, or they’ve become positive since their last test.
How is it transmitted? HIV transmission can occur when fluids such as semen, blood, vaginal secretions, and breast milk make their way into the body’s bloodstream. Sex without condoms (both vaginal and anal) and sharing needles when using intravenous drugs are two of the most common modes of transmission in the United States.
Acute Infection HIV-positive people can transmit the virus at anytime. However, the amount of virus present in the body does affect how easily HIV is transmitted. HIV is most easily transmitted in the first few weeks of infection when the virus is replicating rapidly and the body’s immune system has not yet responded. Acute infection is the period right after a person becomes infected when their viral load is especially high. About half of all people experience flu-like symptoms about 2-4 weeks after being infected. The most common symptoms are fever, fatigue, and rash. Others include headache, swollen lymph glands, a sore throat, feeling achy, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and night sweats. It also means people are more likely to transmit the virus during that time.
Testing for HIV You can get tested for HIV three ways.
A rapid test is an oral swab or a finger prick antibody test that gives you a result within 30 minutes.
An OraSure antibody test is an oral swab rubbed on your gums that gives you results within 1-2 weeks.
You can test for either HIV antibodies or the virus in RNA with a blood sample, which gives you results within 1-2 weeks.
Most HIV tests are testing for HIV antibodies, and not HIV itself. Antibodies are your body’s reaction to the virus, flagging infected cells and letting your immune system know that you have HIV. Most people develop antibodies between two weeks and six months of getting infected. Testing after 1 month after exposure to HIV is around 85% accurate. Testing after 3 months after exposure to HIV is around 95% accurate.
You can get tested for HIV with either an anonymous or a confidential test. With anonymous testing, your personal information is never recorded at the test site, so your identity can’t be attached to your test results. With confidential testing, both you and the test site provider have access to your test results, and there will be a record of the test with your name attached, but it can’t be released without your written permission or consent. Click here for HIV Testing Sites.
STDs/STIs
In addition to HIV, you are at risk of transmitting STDs. Common STDs are Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, and Hepatitis B. If you have an STD, even if you are asymptomatic, you increase your risk of HIV infection. Unfortunately condoms cannot protect you from all STDs. Click here for the STOP AIDS Project’s guide to common STDs and testing resources.
How to protect yourself.
Condoms
When used properly, condoms have a 98% effectiveness rating...
The most effective way to prevent the spread of HIV, second only to abstinance.
LOL! YEAH LIKE THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN!
For tips on how to use condoms effectively, click here.
Sero-sorting
In addition to condoms, some men are trying sero-sorting. Sero-sorting is choosing partners who have the same HIV status as you.
Click here for the STOP AIDS Project’s guide to "Smarter Sorting".
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Approximately 1 in 4 gay or bisexual men in San Francisco are HIV+.
Of those positive men, at least 20% do not know their positive status.
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Test every 3-6 months, if you are more sexually active, test often.
Click here to get tested.
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