Barebacking: unprotected anal sex

[Pharcyde]

You're right. I'm straight and I engage in hella risky sex. Or as the medical paperwork questionnaires say "high risk for acquiring the virus".

 

[Screaming_Skull]

I feel bad for these guys that feel they need to catch hiv...can you imagine what a DARK mindset these people(i'm gay...i can say these people,lol) are in...my god. This story has been going on about they gay communiy since, what year...2004 or 3???? I'm 27 now, but really if I remember right they tried to make it sound like it some HUGE epidemic, when in reality it's a very SMALL percentage of gay men, I swear if anyone asked if I bugchased(straight or gay) I would punch them in the fucking face....but I do feel bad that they are so lost or so strung out on whatever that they getting it anyway that they feel this is the way to live=(. It really does make me sad...and no most gay men do not want fucking aids

 

[swilow]

However ever adult is aware of the risks of engaging in any unprotected sex. I know plenty of straights (some catching this disease) who are not taking any precautions and engaging in risky sex - it is not just us gays - it offends me when only gays get accused of "spreading" hiv.

I get what you are saying. But noone is this thread is targeting gays. The topic was started by a gay male discussing his unsafe practise, hence the topic focused on this population.

 

[doobidan]

There are some posts about "bug-sharing" which I felt was stigmatising those with hiv (the assumption being that all those that have hiv must have done so willingly)

 

[swilow]

I don't see that assumption at all. The guy mentioning bug parties is gay if you couldn't tell by his name 'Bearlove'. Its easy to find persecution if you look but its not what's happening here imo.

 

[LotsOfDogs]

There's currently a niche trend in taking anti viral HIV drugs even when you're negative so that you can have unprotected sex....I believe the regimen is called "PREP". The tablets can be bought online from India and are legal to import into the UK. Evidence suggests they act as a kind of "Morning after pill" which prevents the HIV virus from the body.

I'm gay, so I'm not accusing anybody of anything bad or good - The above behavior isn't my own. As for "Bug Chasing", I've never come across it but I've heard of it. All I can say is that as a 46 year old man, I remember HIV and AIDS when there were no magic pills and they were dark days. I fucking hate the HIV virus and I can only assume the bug chasing phenomenon (if true) is down to ignorance of how dreadful AIDS was in the 80s and 90s.

All of the above said....It's not easy to always be good and I haven't. In casual encounters I always use protection but not long ago I was in a relationship that I thought (wrongly) was more than just sex. We didn't use protection, which was a first for me. Although I know it's bad, the intimacy and sexual symbolism of BB can be very exciting and meaningful. We did agree that cumming inside was a bad idea which reduced the risk considerably but I still regret it now...Mostly because the guy in question turned out to be a wanker!

Anyway, I go to the GUM clinic twice a year and thankfully remain HIV-. No matter how good antiviral medication is, that's the best way to be IMO.

 

[LandsUnknown]

(despite the fact I am anti-anal) have been rubber-free

Well that makes it different, completely different. Butt-sex is way riskier as far as getting aids goes, which is why OP really should be wearing rubbers...... especially as it sounds as though he becomes manic and sleeps with numerous different people.

 

[LandsUnknown]

www.bugshare.net <-- forum for people actively seeking or spreading HIV

WTF? There are actually people stupid enough to try to get aids!?!?! That is fucking retarded! While it's true that it doesn't generally kill you, given the advances in medical treatment, people that have aids have to go to doctor's appointments so frequently, get medical tests done so much, and take so many medications that their life ends up basically centering around this miserable disease. I've had a couple of friends that had it, and even though the treatments kept them in relatively stable condition, it certainly was no picnic. They became so involved with all of the doctor's appointments, got all kinds of side effects from the meds, and had to constantly have all kinds of procedures done that it basically derailed their lives.

 

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

There's currently a niche trend in taking anti viral HIV drugs even when you're negative so that you can have unprotected sex....I believe the regimen is called "PREP". The tablets can be bought online from India and are legal to import into the UK. Evidence suggests they act as a kind of "Morning after pill" which prevents the HIV virus from the body.

I'm gay, so I'm not accusing anybody of anything bad or good - The above behavior isn't my own. As for "Bug Chasing", I've never come across it but I've heard of it. All I can say is that as a 46 year old man, I remember HIV and AIDS when there were no magic pills and they were dark days. I fucking hate the HIV virus and I can only assume the bug chasing phenomenon (if true) is down to ignorance of how dreadful AIDS was in the 80s and 90s.

All of the above said....It's not easy to always be good and I haven't. In casual encounters I always use protection but not long ago I was in a relationship that I thought (wrongly) was more than just sex. We didn't use protection, which was a first for me. Although I know it's bad, the intimacy and sexual symbolism of BB can be very exciting and meaningful. We did agree that cumming inside was a bad idea which reduced the risk considerably but I still regret it now...Mostly because the guy in question turned out to be a wanker!

Anyway, I go to the GUM clinic twice a year and thankfully remain HIV-. No matter how good antiviral medication is, that's the best way to be IMO.

You're correct about people taking PreP/Truvada and thinking that it means they can have all the unprotected sex with whoever they want, and that they'll still remain "HIV neg" and without other STDs.

I think that a lot of people who do this have the mentality that they are invincible and that HIV or other STDs will not happen to them, and some probably have the mentality that they're eventually going to wind up HIV+ so they might as well start taking the medications now.

Yes there are people who do want to purposely get HIV or infect others with HIV. They do this for attention, for benefits such as housing, etc., and some have the twisted mentality that they will be forever linked with the person who infected them or who they infect.

Multiple gay men I'm friends with told me how pretty much all the HIV+ men they know think that it's fine to bareback with other HIV+ people and are in total denial that HIV co-infection with other strains happens, and that re-infection with the original HIV strain also happens.

 

[Lysis]

I'm surprised people say they haven't heard of bug chasing. I heard about it in college years ago. People think if they have it they can then just fuck at will cuz they already have it not understanding mutations. Basically people are dumb.

 

[Bearlove]

WTF? There are actually people stupid enough to try to get aids!?!?! That is fucking retarded! While it's true that it doesn't generally kill you, given the advances in medical treatment, people that have aids have to go to doctor's appointments so frequently, get medical tests done so much, and take so many medications that their life ends up basically centering around this miserable disease. I've had a couple of friends that had it, and even though the treatments kept them in relatively stable condition, it certainly was no picnic. They became so involved with all of the doctor's appointments, got all kinds of side effects from the meds, and had to constantly have all kinds of procedures done that it basically derailed their lives.

They actively seek 'HIV' (not Aids) - pretty hard to explain it but, HIV was seen as almost unavoidable (for people who enjoy bareback) so it's just easier to get it, get on treatment and get that out of the way. It's actually a fetish on the scene - the bio hazard symbol tattoo, the word 'toxic' in porn titles etc.

 

[Bearlove]

There are some posts about "bug-sharing" which I felt was stigmatising those with hiv (the assumption being that all those that have hiv must have done so willingly)

There was zero assumption or stigmatizing at all, I was the person mentioning 'bug sharing' and I certainly did not suggest that all people with HIV have done so willingly. I explain that this is a certain group of people who 'actively' seek to get HIV from HIV+ guys willing to infect them (breeding, pozzing etc).

 

[LandsUnknown]

They actively seek 'HIV' (not Aids) - pretty hard to explain it but, HIV was seen as almost unavoidable (for people who enjoy bareback) so it's just easier to get it, get on treatment and get that out of the way. It's actually a fetish on the scene - the bio hazard symbol tattoo, the word 'toxic' in porn titles etc.

It's the same disease though, or am I mistaken? I thought that HIV was basically just the earlier stage of the illness, or are they two separate diseases?

 

[Bearlove]

It's the same disease though, or am I mistaken? I thought that HIV was basically just the earlier stage of the illness, or are they two separate diseases?

It's not really the same thing, HIV is a virus that 'can' lead to AIDS but AIDS is often thought of as the final stage of HIV - the treatment is to prolong HIV which really does not have any negative effect on your health.

 

[LotsOfDogs]

It's also the case now that the Anti Viral drug regimen for HIV+ people is 1 pill a day, provided you have no other medical complications. Also life expectancy is just slightly below those who are HIV- working on the same assumptions as well as a timely diagnosis which prevents the virus from damaging the immune system. I'm not suggesting it's a walk in the park, far from it....Just that it isn't what it used to be. I think this is one of the main reasons people are complacent these days....In the 80's and 90's it was a very scary thing to get infected with. A lot of the behavior being spoken about here is being exhibited by younger folks who don't remember those days.

There's also some scary news stories about super gonorrhea, which is now only defeated by a combination of 2 very powerful antibiotics. It's reckoned that soon due to resistance, there will be no treatment for it which is very frightening. It's like a return to the early 20th century and before, where people got "the pox" and that was that.

 

[Bearlove]

It's also the case now that the Anti Viral drug regimen for HIV+ people is 1 pill a day, provided you have no other medical complications. Also life expectancy is just slightly below those who are HIV- working on the same assumptions as well as a timely diagnosis which prevents the virus from damaging the immune system. I'm not suggesting it's a walk in the park, far from it....Just that it isn't what it used to be. I think this is one of the main reasons people are complacent these days....In the 80's and 90's it was a very scary thing to get infected with. A lot of the behavior being spoken about here is being exhibited by younger folks who don't remember those days.

There's also some scary news stories about super gonorrhea, which is now only defeated by a combination of 2 very powerful antibiotics. It's reckoned that soon due to resistance, there will be no treatment for it which is very frightening. It's like a return to the early 20th century and before, where people got "the pox" and that was that.

Whats even scarier is a lot of the new guys don't really understand 'bareback' - they are / have grown / growing up not needing condoms, I take a pill to prevent HIV - I get HIV then I take a different pill what is the problem ?

 

[LandsUnknown]

It's not really the same thing, HIV is a virus that 'can' lead to AIDS but AIDS is often thought of as the final stage of HIV - the treatment is to prolong HIV which really does not have any negative effect on your health.

Yeah, but having HIV still requires a lot of treatment with side effects and all though. I mean it's one of the most dangerous diseases right up there with cancer honestly. For HR purposes, I don't think it's a good idea to spread misinformation that HIV doesn't have a negative effect on your health. I don't know a whole lot about the specifics, but it definitely has a major negative effect on your health that can be very dangerous to say the least. It weakens your immune system to the point that people have literally died of the common cold It's also extremely easy to avoid by simply wearing a condom. Even if someone has sex with hundreds of different people, their risk is basically nil if they simply wear rubbers.

Although, it is true that treatment has come a long way. Usually, these days (key word is usually) with the modern treatments people don't actually die from aids. They simply have a very run down immune system, tend to get sick very frequently, suffer side effects from the medications, and generally have a miserable time with their illness. Plus, there is so much medical attention that it requires that it takes up a great deal of one's time. The side effects of the medications also suck ass big time I hear in all sorts of different ways. All in all, I'd say there are a lot of reasons to actively try to avoid it as much as possible.

 

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

I'm surprised people say they haven't heard of bug chasing. I heard about it in college years ago. People think if they have it they can then just fuck at will cuz they already have it not understanding mutations. Basically people are dumb.

Yes I also heard about it decades ago.

I have friends who are bisexual and gay men who told me how pretty much every HIV+ guy they met in cities like NYC, L.A., SF, London, Paris, DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, etc. has the mentality that since they're HIV+ and on meds they can have all the bareback sex they want and they will not get infected with the same strain of HIV, get a new strain, get other STDs, or infect someone with HIV or a new strain of HIV.

 

[LotsOfDogs]

Yeah, but having HIV still requires a lot of treatment with side effects and all though. I mean it's one of the most dangerous diseases right up there with cancer honestly. For HR purposes, I don't think it's a good idea to spread misinformation that HIV doesn't have a negative effect on your health. I don't know a whole lot about the specifics, but it definitely has a major negative effect on your health that can be very dangerous to say the least. It weakens your immune system to the point that people have literally died of the common cold It's also extremely easy to avoid by simply wearing a condom. Even if someone has sex with hundreds of different people, their risk is basically nil if they simply wear rubbers.

Although, it is true that treatment has come a long way. Usually, these days (key word is usually) with the modern treatments people don't actually die from aids. They simply have a very run down immune system, tend to get sick very frequently, suffer side effects from the medications, and generally have a miserable time with their illness. Plus, there is so much medical attention that it requires that it takes up a great deal of one's time. The side effects of the medications also suck ass big time I hear in all sorts of different ways. All in all, I'd say there are a lot of reasons to actively try to avoid it as much as possible.

Sorry but this is not accurate. If we're on the subject of Harm Reduction, part of that is stating what is true. Spreading fear (even if it is not intentional) can itself be harmful and could prevent people from getting tested, knowing their status and getting treated if necessary.

The modern anti viral drugs reduce viral load to undetectable levels, assuming the person taking them doesn't have a drug resistant strain of HIV or other complications such as an already depleted immune system due to late diagnosis or other conditions. Not only that, but as you might hope, they also lessen the chance of transmission greatly (High 90's percentage-wise i believe). Likewise, provided you continue with your meds, you will not have a significantly compromised immune system either. As I said, life expectancy statistically is only slightly lower than someone who is HIV-...I was told this by the doctor in the GUM clinic before he tested me for the first time. Those people are on the front line and deal with these issues everyday. They're unlikely to give bad advice.

Having said all of the above....I strongly advocate being careful, avoiding becoming HIV+ and knowing your status. It's particularly important if you do have unprotected sex and from personal experience, it's a huge relief to get the all clear if you have done something you shouldn't.

 

[LandsUnknown]

Sorry but this is not accurate. If we're on the subject of Harm Reduction, part of that is stating what is true. Spreading fear (even if it is not intentional) can itself be harmful and could prevent people from getting tested, knowing their status and getting treated if necessary.

The modern anti viral drugs reduce viral load to undetectable levels, assuming the person taking them doesn't have a drug resistant strain of HIV or other complications such as an already depleted immune system due to late diagnosis or other conditions. Not only that, but as you might hope, they also lessen the chance of transmission greatly (High 90's percentage-wise i believe). Likewise, provided you continue with your meds, you will not have a significantly compromised immune system either. As I said, life expectancy statistically is only slightly lower than someone who is HIV-...I was told this by the doctor in the GUM clinic before he tested me for the first time. Those people are on the front line and deal with these issues everyday. They're unlikely to give bad advice.

Having said all of the above....I strongly advocate being careful, avoiding becoming HIV+ and knowing your status. It's particularly important if you do have unprotected sex and from personal experience, it's a huge relief to get the all clear if you have done something you shouldn't.

Interesting. I just had heard all my life that it was a terrible illness that's not really treatable, but I guess I was misinformed. Basically, you have to keep taking your meds, but if you do you're in the clear. That's amazing that it can be so easily treated, I had no idea. I've just always heard it mentioned by friends and family as a horrible disease that essentially kills you over a period of years. Now, I feel like it's kind of irresponsible to give people misinformation on it. People should be informed of real risks rather than scare tactics on it. I mean, I'd still try to avoid getting it obviously..... and I'd say that it would still be a good idea to avoid it if at all possible. On the other hand, I'm also glad that it's not quite as bad as it gets made out to be. I'm glad they have finally figured out a way to treat it well, I can remember so long with people saying it was basically a death sentence.