Gay men diagnosed during primary infection substantially reduce their risk behaviour

via Aidsmap, by Roger Pebody

Gay and bisexual men who are diagnosed with HIV in the first few weeks after infection make significant changes to their sexual behaviour, write British researchers in the August issue of HIV Medicine.

While risky behaviour was common before diagnosis, three-quarters of men surveyed posed no risk of onward transmission during the three months after their test result. The authors argue that this demonstrates the value of early diagnosis.

Moreover, they argue that more intensive risk-reduction counselling should be targeted towards men in primary infection, especially the minority who are most likely to continue with risk behaviours.

They suggest that even short-lived changes in behaviour will have a significant impact on onward transmission. Primary HIV infection is the period just after infection, during which HIV viral load and infectivity are exceptionally high.

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