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HIV on the Rise Among Young Gay Men 


HIV-infected T-cells X390 (NIAID) | ADVOCATE.COM

A Belgian study released Tuesday suggests that unsafe sex practices among young gay men may be contributing significantly to the rise of the disease in Europe, London'sGuardian reports.

In their analysis of the viral genetic information found in 500 HIV-positive patients, including both heterosexual and gay subjects, researchers at Ghent University found that one cluster of the virus was found almost exclusively among young gay men — many of whom were also infected with other sexually transmitted diseases, indicating they may not be using condoms.

"Members of this cluster are significantly younger than the rest of the population and have more chlamydia and syphilis infections," researchers wrote. "We clearly demonstrate that, despite the existence of prevention programmes, easily available testing facilities and a supposedly broad public awareness of the infection and its possible routes of transmission, [men who have sex with men] still account for the majority of local onward transmissions."

Read the full article here

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Sean Egan
    Date posted: 9/8/2010 9:22:10 PM
    Hometown: Fairbanks, Alaska

    Comment:

    Well, we do live in a world where monogamous relationships between gay men are seen as inferior to those of heterosexuals..... And so some of us decide to have, literally, hundreds of partners.

  • Name: kev
    Date posted: 9/8/2010 8:11:53 AM
    Hometown: Boston

    Comment:

    Online hookups + decline of gay bar culture = no longer ANY intergenerational mixing. Young gay men (unless they are hustlers) totally avoid anyone older (often for good reason!) = no education?

  • Name: d-love
    Date posted: 9/8/2010 2:19:47 AM
    Hometown: philadelphia

    Comment:

    Wowww Kyle. I think you really nailed it on the head. I completely agree. This is really sad to see.

  • Name: Kyle
    Date posted: 9/7/2010 11:18:21 PM
    Hometown: Bowling Green

    Comment:

    Despite all of the education that is already out there, we also need to take into account that low levels of self esteem will lead to destructive behaviors such as unprotected sex, even with all the progress that has been made over the decades our youth are still showing significant signs of low self esteem. While we can point fingers about who is in the wrong here I hope we also take the opportunity to ask "What can I do to make a safe place for people to express who they are and let others know they aren't alone?"

  • Name: Patrick
    Date posted: 9/7/2010 7:59:57 PM
    Hometown: Chicago

    Comment:

    Jeff, your comment is so spot on...as long as society pretends that gay youth don't exist, they won't get the education and experiences (like dating, etc.) that they need to protect themselves. It is pretty easy to condemn young gay people for being careless, but the real truth is that ALL young people feel indestructible and are often careless. It is the education they recieve in sex ed classes, among other typical teen experiences that helps to put some brakes on that carelessness. If our educational system continues to pretend that GLBT youth don't exist, or worse, are immoral and deviant, how can we ever expect them to get the tools they need to protect themselves and learn to make adult, wise decisions regarding sex and love?

  • Name: Jon
    Date posted: 9/7/2010 7:35:06 PM
    Hometown: Montreal

    Comment:

    I hate to say this but if you contract HIV or AIDS in this day and age, well, you have but only one person to blame....the guy in the mirror. I was there at the beginning and one can understand back then how people would become infected but really, we're 30 years on and with all the stories, movies, ads, pamphlets, posters, fundraisers, etc it's getting a little rich to hear that somehow, someway, someone didn't know that barebacking is dangerous. Take some responsibility. I know I sound heartless but at some point we all have to take stock in our own lives and take ownership of our own actions.

  • Name: Jeff
    Date posted: 9/7/2010 7:13:02 PM
    Hometown: Richmond

    Comment:

    Hmmm, interesting, so the one group that is completely left out of both sex ed and abstinence only classes as if they did not exist has the highest incidence of STD’s? Gee I wonder if someone could do a study on this?

  • Name: Shanikwa
    Date posted: 9/7/2010 6:20:38 PM
    Hometown: Los Angeles

    Comment:

    Bareback porn, glamorous HIV ads, poor sex education, drug abuse, immaturity; all these things are contributing to the rise in HIV infections in gay men between 18-30. Our gay brothers need to re-affirm themselves to stopping the spread of HIV, there is NO CURE and meds do eventually fail leaving many with no alternatives. HIV is no party boys and it's costs, bother literally and figuratively, are expensive!

  • Name: Jesse
    Date posted: 9/7/2010 5:58:35 PM
    Hometown: Palm Springs

    Comment:

    Quit being so retarded, barebackers!! Haven't we ALL grown tired of seing this in the headlines?!



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