This is an unedited article I wrote for gay.eu
It was my first, hopefully not the last. Tell me what you think.

HIV?

We have all heard about it. We all know about it (well most of us do), and we all know how dangerous it is. HIV is one of the most dangerous diseases known to mankind, mostly because there is no known cure. As there currently are about 40 million people infected with HIV, this is a pretty big problem. The infection rate amongst gay men is steadily decreasing (guess we finally learned something :P) but it is still present. In the meantime, the HIV infection rate in heterosexuals is rising. Rising fast. But what am I saying, we all know that HIV is out there, and we all know how to protect ourselves, right?

“If you really love me, you would take off that condom” How many of you have ever heard that? Obviously barebacking is more personal and way more pleasurable, but does that give you the excuse? Barebacking amongst gay men (or anally active heteros:P) is the activity which has the highest risk of HIV transmission. It’s not that blowjob that you give to your neighbor, it’s anal sex.
Now that we’re talking about blowjobs. It has a far lower risk of HIV transmission, that is if you’re not one of those nasties who swallow. I won’t debate on the practice, but swallowing is very dangerous. So please try to refrain from it.

Ok. We all knew that as well. But lets say that you did contract HIV. You did have unprotected sex that one time with that hot guy. It only takes one single microscopic virus to do the trick. So what is your next step? You have HIV, what do you do? Wait for AIDS to come?
Nope, everyone with a logical sense would go to the doctor. In developed countries AIDS-blockers are relatively easy to come by, and probably even covered by your insurance. The arrival of effective blockers have been a godsend to many. These blockers can significantly prolong the third (asymptomatic) phase of the HIV infection. A regular third phase usually stretches from 1-7 years, but now, when effective measures are employed (e.g. the blockers), the asymptomatic phase can be stretched to three times as long, 21 years. There have even been cases of people dying a natural death, several years after contracting HIV.

What does this all mean? HIV/AIDS used to be one of the most feared diseases. Nowadays (to some) it is being regarded as something as commonplace as asthma. Something that they can live with. Which is true, but it still runs a risk of infecting others. A weird thing about HIV is that it affects everyone differently. You might last for many years in the asymptomatic phase, but your neighbor might not even last 6 months. Even with AIDS-blockers.

This euphemism of HIV is a troubling phenomenon and should be dealt with quickly before we all just see HIV as some other flu-like disease. I’m talking about ad-campaigns or anything of the sort. We all have the awareness, but do we actually comprehend the situation? HIV is still being spread while there are effective countermeasures, even in developed countries. And to make a difference, you need to start with yourself. If you plan on being monogamous in your relationship, that doesn’t mean that your partner is too. Make sure you know what you’re doing. But then again, if you do contract HIV, that doesn’t mean you’re gonna die. Or does it?