You may have heard that HIV infection is on the rise, or that the effort to develop a vaccine has dead-ended.But in recent years, with every new setback and breakthrough—including sensational word of a new “morning after” pill—gay men have been changing their behavior, adopting ingenious methods to keep the virus at bay. As a result, the one commandment of the past twenty-five years—always wear a condom—is fast becoming a relic.
Read the rest in GQ.
[note from LifeLube - it is too damn bad that the author virtually ignored the research, development and advocacy around the creation of safe, effective and acceptable rectal microbicides. Currently in development, a microbicide is a cream or gel, or maybe a douche or an enema, that could be used to reduce a person’s risk of HIV infection vaginally or rectally. Rectal microbicides could offer both primary protection in the absence of condoms and back-up protection if a condom breaks or slips off during anal intercourse. For those unable or unwilling to use condoms, rectal microbicides could be a safe and effective alternative means of reducing risk, especially if they were unobtrusive and/or enhanced sexual pleasure enough to motivate consistent use. Such alternatives are essential if we are to address the full spectrum of prevalent sexual practices and the basic human need for accessible, user-controlled HIV and STD prevention tools. Click here for the site of the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) and learn more.]
> gay men have been changing their behavior,
ReplyDelete> adopting ingenious methods to keep the virus
> at bay.
What evidence is there?... of that behavior change.
PEP is already an approved intervention for health care workers exposed to HIV by accident. PEP needs to be approved for gay men/msm/sexual partners accidentally exposed to HIV through sexual behavior.
ReplyDeleteThe momentum to get behind PrEP seems premature with a host of issues to be resolved. The cost, who's eligible, recruitment and education without undermining existing safer sex guidelines, access to PrEP while there are access issues around treatments for people already diagnosed with AIDS...both in the US and internationally...for starters.
What was the advocacy for PEP? It should be a priority for gay men/msm/sexual partners and ignoring it smacks of homophobia.
Rectal Microbicides are going to be great when they are developed and work effectively. But the most proven protection is have right now is the condom and let's not forget that. This post just sound like a plug for the IRMA, let's depend on something that works and is available now, the condom.
ReplyDelete