HIV isn't the taboo subject it once was. However, many gay men still don't fully understand the mechanics of HIV and AIDS. Few of us are interested in the daily life of someone who has HIV, for instance, until we or someone we know acquires the virus. In fact, understanding the virus can help prevent you from getting it and can also help you be a bigger support system for friends or family that may have HIV. So let's take a tour of HIV & AIDS.
The Basics
There are two types of HIV. Learn about the differences.
Contrary to popular belief, gay men are not the cause or source of the HIV virus - chimpanzees are.
June 5, 1981 is the "birthday" of the HIV virus. Discover why scientists consider this the start day of the pandemic.
Getting Tested
The only way to know if you have HIV is to get a simple blood test.
How often should you get an HIV test? The recommendation is every three to six months, but there are reasons to get a test more often.
Most HIV tests conducted today are rapid tests, which means you get the results in around an hour or less. See our review of the oral HIV test.
If you aren't comfortable visiting an HIV testing clinic or if there isn't a testing center in your location, try testing yourself at home.
How HIV is Acquired and Spread
HIV is a sexually-transmitted disease (STD). This means that you can get HIV from having unprotected sex. Wearing a condom can significantly reduce your risk of contracting the virus. Here are some things you should know:
While not very likely, it is possible to get HIV from oral sex.
Getting HIV from kissing is also very unlikely, but there's more to that story.
If you have been exposed to HIV within the last 72 hours, it may be possible to stop the spread of the virus. Learn how.
Living with HIV
HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was. Treatments are typically very effective and can significantly slow the spread of the virus. Still, living with HIV can often be a very scary and lonely experience. Here are some tips for coping with the virus:
Build a network of friends and family that you can trust. You'll need all the support and emotional guidance you can get.
You'll hear a lot about the terms serodiscordant, seropositive, and seroconversion. Here's a quick summary of these important phrases.
Having HIV doesn't mean you can't have great sex and/or a loving, long-term relationship. All it means is that you need to learn to be more responsible. Here are some tips on HIV positive dating.
Remember, you are not alone. Check out the GayLife Forum. There, you'll find a supportive community of both HIV-positive and -negative folks.
