The virus that causes A.I.D.S has been in the news quite a bit lately. Specifically they've been talking about the new in-home HIV testing kit. The new home test can give results in about 20 minutes, so its a lot better than some of the old home tests. Also, the CDC says that the new home test is fairly accurate. Most people show HIV Antibodies by the third month after being infected, but some show them in as little as 2 weeks and as late as 6 months. If a person tests one week after being infected, they're probably going to test negative so keep that in mind.

Also they've been talking about the rate of infection among people of color,young people and the elderly. The surprising thing is that the HIV rate among elderly people has risen. It looks like as of 2005, elderly people made up 15% of the new HIV infections in the US.

One of the cities that's been hit the hardest by HIV in the US is Washington DC. The estimated rate of HIV and AIDS in DC is 148.1 per 100,000 people.

Personally I'm HIV negative but HIV has affected my family. I had a brother that at the time of his death was HIV positive. He didn't die of AIDS but his Wife did.

In my opinion, EVERYONE that has ever had sex should get tested for HIV. The questions i pose to you guys are : Do you know your HIV status and if you don't, why Not. What's keeping you from getting tested? Also do you know anyone who's HIV positive or has died of AIDS, and what impact do you see HIV having on your community or neighborhood ?

I want to be clear. I'm not asking you to disclose you HIV status either way. That's none of my business. I'm asking if you've been tested or not. Thanks.

Heres some HIV and AIDS stats taken From the SF AIDS foundation web site.

"Since the AIDS epidemic began in 1981, 1.7 million Americans have been infected with HIV and 583,298 have died of AIDS-related causes through 2007.

1.1 million Americans are living with HIV (including more than 468,000 with AIDS)."

"An estimated 21% of people living with HIV are undiagnosed.

Every 9 1/2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV."

"Gay and bisexual men continue to bear the greatest burden of HIV infection, accounting for an estimated 53% of new HIV infections."

"African-Americans and Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS. Blacks accounted for 45% of new HIV infections in 2006 and 47% of those living with the disease, yet they make up only 12% of the U.S. population. Latinos account for 17% of new infections yet comprise 15% of the U.S. population, while whites represent 35% of new infections and account for 66% of the total population."

"Young adults and teens between 13 and 29 represent 34% of new HIV infections, the largest share of any age group. Black teens are disproportionately affected, representing 68% of reported AIDS cases among 13 to 19-year-olds in 2007.

Women now account for 27% of HIV infections, with 280,000 women living with HIV and AIDS."

"New infections due to injection drug use have declined by about 80% since the mid-to-late 1990s, accounting for 12% of new infections in 2006."

"71% of all AIDS cases reported since the beginning of the epidemic are concentrated in 10 states or territories. While the District of Columbia has the highest AIDS case rate (148.1 per 100,000 in 2007), the states of New York (17.6%), California (14.4%) and Florida (10.6%) have the most cumulative AIDS cases."

Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation Fact Sheet: The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States, September 2009.

[Edited 7/10/12 17:46pm]

Never been tested.

tested. negative

tested 3 times - all three negative, but you never know, right?

I've been tested every year, and am negative. I think it's nobody's business when it comes to your daily life.

However, I don't think it's your own private business if you plan on dating or seeing someone--you should disclose your status.

It always stuns me that we know how to irradicate this disease---contain and don't spread. it can only be spread by blood and sexual contact---contain it. Wear condoms, check regularly--abstain if you can--yet, the disease is spreading so quickly.

I just find it shocking that it would be growing and spreading in industrialized nations at the rate it is--with what we know about the disease, it should be rapidly decreasing! We know how to contain it. I'm also alarmed that with all of the focus on the disease within the LBGT community that it is so alarmingly high among gay men, and in percentage of new cases. It's so irresponsible that it's stunning to me.

Thanks to all the people that posted. I was thinking about some of the movies Ive seen that have dealt with the HIV epidemic. One of the best was "And The Band Played On". It was a HBO docudrama that came out in the 90's. It did a excellent job of documenting the early days of HIV in America(late 70's early 80's). If a person wants to get an accurate portrait of the early days of HIV, this is the movie to watch.

[Edited 7/10/12 23:48pm]

I was tested positive in 2007 and started treatment in 2009. My viral load is currently undetectable due to the treatment and I'm actually healthier than I've ever been.

Not just because of the treatment of course but I definitely started taking better care of myself after the diagnosis.

I was more or less relieved after I heard my results were positive. The possibility of contracting the virus was probably scarier than actually being tested positive.

I read an article last week that over 40% of HIV infected people in the Netherlands don’t even know they’re infected. That’s a staggering percentage.

In this day and age everyone who’s sexually active should get tested for HIV at least twice per year.

[Edited 7/11/12 0:49am]

MacDaddy said:

I was tested positive in 2007 and started treatment in 2009. My viral load is currently undetectable due to the treatment and I'm actually healthier than I've ever been.

Not just because of the treatment of course but I definitely started taking better care of myself after the diagnosis.

I was more or less relieved after I heard my results were positive. The possibility of contracting the virus was probably scarier than actually being tested positive.

I read an article last week that over 40% of HIV infected people in the Netherlands don’t even know they’re infected. That’s a staggering percentage.

In this day and age everyone who’s sexually active should get tested for HIV at least twice per year.

[Edited 7/11/12 0:49am]

I completely agree with this!

We have it in our power to irradicate this disease simply due to behavioral changes---I know that's an impossible task considering we can't even get the catholic church assist in some public healthcare efforts.

However, we do and can actually wipe this thing away simply on our own without governments that don't really seem to care enough.

It all starts with knowing one's status. Then of course, how we conduct ourselves afterwords.

Ultimately I'd love for there to be a cure, and I'm convinced there will be in my lifetime (I'm 50% convinced 'smart computers' will figure it out before people do), but ultimately we can stop the spread if we really try.

I think people just got tired of all the messages about safe sex--it became like fatigue to the population. Couple with the fact that it's no longer viewed as a death nail, but rather something that you live with and deal with, much of the urgency seems to be lost these days.

Oh what the fuck am I talking about--we have it in us to solve poverty, but what have I done about it other than satisfy my own lifestyle?

5 times indirectly tested (blood donations), all negative (which I expected, anyway)

aardvark15 said:

HIV

really?

JoeTyler said:

aardvark15 said:

JoeTyler said:

really?

My mind was wondering and I just posted the first thing that came to mind on accident

oh, wow, ok then

JoeTyler said:

aardvark15 said:

JoeTyler said: My mind was wondering and I just posted the first thing that came to mind on accident

oh, wow, ok then

smoothcriminal12 said:

aardvark15 said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

What a world we're in where HIV is funny

I was tested a handful of times when I was younger.

I'm at extremely low risk at this point, so there's no need to be tested anymore. My doctor sees no need for it either.

Oh, and yes, I know people who are HIV positive. As far as I can tell, their lives are OK, other than taking lots and lots of drugs. A few have had some health scares but it seems to be OK now.

However, one of my besties is in social work and is a director for the Minnesota AIDS Project. He's been in the business forever and while in college worked at hospice care and has held people hands as they passed away from the horrible disease. While he's extremely professional and discreet, I have also heard stories about the worst of the worst.

tested negative each time, 6.25.2012 was last test date

I don't care how safe I am, there is still something about it, I feel like I'm going to wet my pants both ends waiting

Elderly people & Viagra,

youth and lack of concern

segment of men who have sex with men barebacking

women who trust too easily and think HIV is not a hetero issue,

there was a story recently of a woman who found out she was + and slept with a bunch of men without protection on purpose.

so many reasons why it's still on the rise

When I first started getting tested, the person answered questions of mine and I didn't realized that any spot in/on the body that has pink flesh: vagina, anus, mouth, eye <-this one being the one that shocked me, are places where the virus can pass into your system

imago said:

MacDaddy said:

In this day and age everyone who’s sexually active should get tested for HIV at least twice per year.

[Edited 7/11/12 0:49am]

I completely agree with this!

That makes sense if you have multiple partners, but if you’re in a monogamous, long-term relationship, use condoms and completely trust your partner, I think twice a year is a bit excessive.

I believe there is always risk (you never really know and very few people think they’re going to get cheated on) but when the risk is that low, once every few years or so is probably good enough.

When I start having sex again I'll revisit this thread.

...If it's still around.

...& the Org is still around.

...& the apocalypse hasn't wiped us all out.

OldFriends4Sale said:

When I first started getting tested, the person answered questions of mine and I didn't realized that any spot in/on the body that has pink flesh: vagina, anus, mouth, eye <-this one being the one that shocked me, are places where the virus can pass into your system

PurpleJedi said:

When I start having sex again I'll revisit this thread.

...If it's still around.

...& the Org is still around.

...& the apocalypse hasn't wiped us all out.

so, you're going to have sex again after December 2012

JoeTyler said:

PurpleJedi said:

When I start having sex again I'll revisit this thread.

...If it's still around.

...& the Org is still around.

...& the apocalypse hasn't wiped us all out.

so, you're going to have sex again after December 2012

...at the rate I'm going...the sun will burn itself out before I get some again...

PurpleJedi said:

JoeTyler said:

so, you're going to have sex again after December 2012

...at the rate I'm going...the sun will burn itself out before I get some again...

hetero sex IS complicated

Tested several times over the years. Negative.

I've been tested twice. The first was my choice. I decided that since I hadn't exactly been a nun in my 20s, it was just the prudent thing to do.

The second was when I had a cyst. I went to the doctor because I had a lump and didn't know what it was. While she was examining me, the cyst suddenly opened up and the contents of it hit her in the eye. They asked if I would please take an HIV test as a precaution - at their expense - and I agreed, of course.

Shortly after that, I met Sweetie and we've been together since, so I haven't had another.

[Edited 7/11/12 9:00am]

CarrieMpls said:

imago said:

I completely agree with this!

That makes sense if you have multiple partners, but if you’re in a monogamous, long-term relationship, use condoms and completely trust your partner, I think twice a year is a bit excessive.

I believe there is always risk (you never really know and very few people think they’re going to get cheated on) but when the risk is that low, once every few years or so is probably good enough.

I'm not trying to sound cynical, but completely trusting your partner in a monogomous relationship is no gaurantee. Many folks who have gotten herpes and HIV have been in these situations.

imago said:

CarrieMpls said:

That makes sense if you have multiple partners, but if you’re in a monogamous, long-term relationship, use condoms and completely trust your partner, I think twice a year is a bit excessive.

I believe there is always risk (you never really know and very few people think they’re going to get cheated on) but when the risk is that low, once every few years or so is probably good enough.

I'm not trying to sound cynical, but completely trusting your partner in a monogomous relationship is no gaurantee. Many folks who have gotten herpes and HIV have been in these situations.

And that's why I said there is always risk.

But there's high risk behavior and the whole spectrum of risk all the way down to abstaining completely.

CarrieMpls said:

imago said:

I'm not trying to sound cynical, but completely trusting your partner in a monogomous relationship is no gaurantee. Many folks who have gotten herpes and HIV have been in these situations.

And that's why I said there is always risk.

But there's high risk behavior and the whole spectrum of risk all the way down to abstaining completely.

I agree.

But, my point is that what's being done now is obviously not enough.

This thing is spreading, and at an alarming rate for something completely preventable.

I think erring on the side of extreme caution is not a sky-is-falling tactic--I think it's very necessary.