The research project began three years ago when the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System interviewed and tested more than 7,000 men for HIV…in the year prior to the study, 61% of those men had tested negative for HIV, and the remaining participants had not been tested at all. Based on their interview responses, participants were divided into groups depending on whether or not they participated in high-risk sexual behaviors (e.g., MSM who have multiple or anonymous sex partners, sexual activity in conjunction with illicit drug use, etc.).

It was found that 7% of those who reported high-risk sexual behaviors were HIV positive, while 8% of those who practiced safer sex were also HIV positive. What does that tell us?

Well, until now, we thought that high-risk sexual behaviors correlate to a higher risk of becoming HIV positive…which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that people who participate in risky behaviors get screened for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections more frequently (every 3 to 6 months) than those who don’t.

But the current research shows us that MSM who engage in risky sexual behaviors are at the same risk of contracting HIV as those who play it safe…and that more frequent testing may be a good idea for all sexually active MSM, regardless of the sexual behaviors.

A significant number of participants in the study were found to be HIV positive…even those who had tested negative within the past 12 months. So it follows that, by being tested more often, MSM can reduce the time from HIV infection to diagnosis, which helps reduce overall transmission of the virus.

What’s the bottom line? Although this study hasn’t led to a change in the CDC’s current guidelines just yet, it conveys a very important message: all MSM can benefit from being tested for HIV more frequently, even those who do not engage in risky sexual behaviors.

What’s new in HIV prevention?
It turns out that Truvada, a drug approved in 2004 as part of a multidrug regimen to treat HIV, may also be effective in preventing HIV infection in high-risk populations. A recent study by Dr. Robert Grant of the Gladstone Institutes of Virology and Immunology showed that – when taken as instructed – daily use of Truvada alone stopped HIV in over 70% of cases.

Asa  a result, the CDC issued new guidelines stating that Truvada should be prescribed to men who are at a high risk of contracting HIV. While this is exciting news, Truvada costs about $13,000 a year…which leaves condoms as the #1 way to help prevent HIV.

HIV remains a serious public health challenge. The CDC reports that there are 1.1 million Americans living with HIV and as many as 21% don’t know they’re are infected. Let’s work together to improve those statistics…use condoms and, if you think you might have been exposed to HIV, don’t delay testing. Because the earlier HIV is diagnosed, the better it can be treated and managed.

We hear about HIV a lot, and in lots of different ways: know your risks, protect yourself, get tested, and so on. And for good reason. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS – a chronic, often life-threatening condition.

But we rarely hear about the significant strides in the fight against AIDS, and that not everyone who’s HIV-positive has AIDS…in fact, some people with HIV never develop signs or symptoms of the disease.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mark 30 years of HIV/AIDS awareness this month, celebrities around the world are lending their star power to give voice to pioneering efforts in AIDS research.

In the 80s, when the general public knew very little about HIV, people were terrified that even a handshake could spread the virus. So in one AIDS awareness campaign, the late Princess Diana posed with an HIV-positive man, holding his hand…the result was a greater understanding about how HIV is – and isn’t – transmitted. Other celebrities, like Latoya Jackson and her late brother Michael, are long-time AIDS activists, and campaigns like (RED) and the HBO documentary film “The Lazarus Effect” drive home the life-restoring effects of ever-improving treatments for people with HIV.

Multimedia blitzes and star-studded efforts like these are helping people realize that being HIV-positive isn’t a death sentence…and that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can help manage and suppress the virus, reducing and slowing its damage on the body.  Multi-drug regimens can keep HIV at bay for decades, paving the way for a good quality of life for a long time.

In the latest celebrity video featuring Bono, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Jane Lynch and many other favorite personalities, we’re reminded that – while 40 cents a day doesn’t buy much – it can get you the meds you need to effectively manage HIV. Endorsements like these help bring to the forefront how far pharmaceutical technology has come.

For example, researchers have made amazing progress with a vaccine for SIV, an HIV-related virus that’s found only in monkeys. Strong results in treating SIV are advancing HIV research. And anti-HIV drugs are showing promise in preventing HIV transmission in couples where one person is already positive for the virus. Plus, we’ve known for a while now that anti-HIV meds can dramatically reduce the risk of HIV transmission from pregnant women to their babies.

An HIV vaccine would have a monumental impact on the global HIV pandemic…and it’s not a pipe dream. Think about it: once upon a time, the measles, polio and chicken pox struck terror into the hearts of parents…but now, vaccines exist to ward off these conditions before they have a chance to develop. Hopefully someday soon, the same will be true for HIV.

In the meantime, there’s reason for hope. And now it’s your turn to be a star…take charge of your health and get tested for HIV and other STDs if you think might have been exposed. The sooner you know your STD status, the sooner you can get treated, if necessary. Early detection is key to your sexual well-being and overall health.

Related info:

• Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise
• WHO-UNAIDS HIV Vaccine Initiative

Sex is a constant influence in media, in politics and in our personal lives. Unfortunately, good information about STDs and sexual health isn’t as prevalent.

No matter who you are, if you don’t know the facts about STDs and STD risk factors, you’re probably living with a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety. Even actor Matthew Morrison – better known as Mr. Schu in the TV show “Glee” – said recently that he avoided sex when he was younger because of an irrational fear that any kind of sexual activity would result in an STD. Singer and songwriter Katy Perry also stated in an interview that her religious upbringing left her clueless about sex and STDs.

Being uninformed or misinformed about STDs leads to fear. So here are the basics of what you need to know to protect yourself and others from getting infected or spreading an infection:

1. Know your partner & communicate. With every new relationship, get tested for STDs. Give yourselves the peace of mind of knowing each other’s STD status. And don’t be afraid to share your concerns with each other…your sexual health is worth talking about!

Do you trust your sexual partner? Do you know if your partner has a history of STDs? Are you worried about whether your partner is having sex with other people? Ask away…you deserve to know.

2.  Use condoms & practice safer sex. You’ve seen the ads on buses and billboards: “No condom, no way.” Those ads are for real. Using latex condoms or dental dams every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex greatly lowers your risk of getting HIV or other STDs from someone who might be infected…or from spreading a sexually transmitted infection to others.

And use common sense: avoid contact with open cuts or sores.

Being smart about your sexual health also means understanding how STDs can’t be spread. For example, you can’t get HIV through everyday contact with people who are infected with the virus…or through contact with their urine, sweat, tears, coughs or sneezes. And you can’t get HIV by “dry” kissing an infected person…or from toilet seats or eating utensils.

STDs aren’t taboo like they used to be…so if you have questions, ask us and put your fears to rest. Our knowledgeable, STD-certified Care Advisors are just a call away: 866.660.2593 (toll-free).

But there are ways to take care of your health without breaking the bank. As insurance companies raise premiums and lower coverage, affordable alternatives like do-it-yourself blood tests and private, online tests are gaining traction…not to mention greater flexibility to choose the testing option that’s best for you in terms of cost, convenience and turnaround time. (Of course, if you test positive for an STD or other condition, you should still consult a doctor.)

With fewer and fewer employers offering health benefits – and those that do offer benefits paying more and getting less – affordable, routine healthcare can be hard to come by. Online testing eliminates the so-called middle man and allows you to test for exactly what you need, when you need it, at a fraction of the cost.

A lab test through your doctor generally requires a doctor’s visit to order the test; then there’s the cost of the lab and often another doctor’s visit to review your test results. Testing online is much simpler…you order the test online, go to a lab near you and, if needed, see your doctor with your test results in-hand. Not only do you save time and money, but you also avoid being potentially flagged by your insurance company for “engaging in high-risk behavior” or testing positive for a possibly costly, chronic condition.

Even more important, however, is the freedom and opportunity to take charge of your own health. National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – which recognizes the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, specifically – is another timely reminder of how important it is to get tested for HIV and other STDs.

Depending on your risk factors, regular testing is key to lowering infection rates…but if you plan to get tested online, do your homework. Be sure that real doctors stand behind the testing service, and that you’ll be offered a consultation with a doctor if you test positive for an STD or other condition.

Bottom line, don’t put off taking care of yourself. There are resources and alternatives available to help you be smart about healthcare.

Related link:

HIV cases surging on the Nation
“According to reports from the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, the number of new cases of HIV diagnosed per year in IHS hospitals and health clinics has more than doubled in the last decade.”

Many clinics and hospitals in Germany are known for using alternative medical treatments, giving hope to those who are living with various terminal illnesses. One of these people is Timothy Ray Brown who chose to receive treatment for his acute myeloid leukemia at Berlin’s Charite – Universitatsmedizin Hospital. What he did not expect was that undergoing such treatment would cure him of HIV.

He underwent intense treatments, some of them so aggressive they could have killed him, including a stem-cell transplant that most people do not survive. The bone marrow used for the transplant came from a person with a rare genetic mutation that is practically immune to HIV. Due to his own weak immune system, the transplant was successful and, after a period without antiretovial drugs and several HIV negative test results, his doctors have officially declared him HIV-free.

This is major news, not only in the world of medicine, but for anyone living with HIV and their loved ones. Now, there is hope that a more accessible cure is possible through continued research, including alternative approaches. Thanks to the endeavors of Brown’s doctors and his own resilience, that cure may be closer than we thought.

Remember, the earlier HIV is diagnosed, the more successfully it can be managed to maintain a full quality of life for as long as possible. If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, don’t take any chances…get HIV tested.

Today is World AIDS Day, which is all about educating people about the risks of the disease…and how to prevent and treat it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The good news is that progress is being made to treat and manage the virus. With advances in HIV treatment, HIV is no longer the death sentence it was in the ‘80s when AIDS was ravaging the gay community. Recent studies have shown that antiretroviral medications that treat HIV infection lower the risk of acquiring the virus; earlier studies also showed that a vaginal gel that contained HIV medication lowered the risk of acquiring HIV by 40% among African women.

Yet while there are advances in HIV treatment and AIDS is on the decline, HIV infections are still on the rise. There are some 56,000 new cases of HIV infection each year…but 1 in 5 people are unaware that they are infected. Which means that HIV/AIDS education and prevention remain urgent priorities.

So what’s the best way to prevent HIV? Get HIV tested! Also, don’t use IV drugs, do use condoms each and every time you have sex, reduce your number of sexual partners, and be in a monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and knows his or her status.

Remember, early diagnosis is key to treating HIV infection. Getting testing can literally save lives…and allow you to live longer and healthier. On December 1, World AIDS Day, I encourage you to do your part and get tested for HIV.

Learn about ONE, a grassroots organization that fights poverty and preventable diseases, including HIV in children.

Caller: “Hello, I’d like to get tested for STD.”

Counselor: “Great! What would you like to get tested for?”

Caller: “STD.”

Counselor: “Well, there are many STDs you can get tested for. Were you concerned about something in particular or would you like to get tested for the 8 most common STDs?”

Caller: “There are more than one!?”

Seriously.  This is what happens when we don’t have widespread support for sex education in public schools.  We live in such a highly sexualized culture but, as a nation, our sexual health literacy is very low.  If parents aren’t teaching their children about general safe sex practice and infectious disease and our teachers aren’t teaching about preventative care, it’s no wonder we get basic questions like this on a daily basis.  What is an STD?  Why are they sometimes called STIs?  What’s safer sex?  Do I really need to get tested?  Doesn’t my doctor test me?

Unfortunately, no, your doctor is probably not testing you for STDs.  And, no, STD is not an STD.  When you have unprotected oral, vagina, or anal sex, you are putting yourself and others at risk for becoming infected with a variety of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs.

Caller: “I’m interested in getting tested for all STDs. What is in your panel?”

Counselor: “Our 8 Test Panel includes testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Herpes, HIV, and Syphilis.

Caller: “Well, I won’t need the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea tests, because I am a man, right?”

Sigh.  Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that occur in both men and women. In fact, chlamydia and gonorrhea  are among the most common STDs by and large because they can be present without any obvious signs or symptoms.  People don’t know they are infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea and unknowingly pass the infection to their partner.

Caller: “I need to get tested for HIV/AIDS.”

Counselor: “Just HIV, or all STDs?”

Caller: “I thought the HIV test covered all STDs?”

Look — getting tested is the most important thing you can do at the beginning of a new relationship (or after!) to protect your health and the health of your partner. Get tested for all STDs so you know the complete status of your sexual health. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you aren’t sure what you need to test for. That is what we are here for – and we’ve heard it all!

• Get the facts on STDs.
• Get tested today.

BY SU McFAY, R.N.

We come across a lot of interesting stories at the Unzipped news desk, but this one wins the week.  In a weird twist of life imitating art, teenagers are literally biting each other as a way to express affection.  Call it the “Twilight” zone.

Sucking blood is also described as a way to “mark” a loved one.  Some teens are cutting themselves and letting others taste their blood, as a means of being “connected eternally.”  You know, like vampires.

But, we’re not vampires.  We’re humans.  Our bites are notoriously infectious and frequently under-managed.  Approximately 10-15% of human bite wounds become infected.  And the possibility of transmission of disease through human bites is real.  Of the sexually transmitted infections, human bites have been shown to transmit hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis.   While there is evidence to suggest that it’s biologically possible to spread HIV through human bites, the risk is low.

Teens -  there’s just no safe way to experience this hot new blood-sucking trend.  You can play on Team Edward or Team Jacob, but when it comes to your health, play safe.

• I’m not a blood sucker, but am I at risk for having an STD?

Before you toss your little blue pills, the researchers at Harvard did not discover that Viagra and other ED drugs cause sexually transmitted diseases.  They don’t.  They do what they are designed to do — help men achieve erections strong enough for sexual intercourse.  What the researchers did discover, however, was that men who take Viagra, Cialis and the others tend to engage in riskier sexual behavior.  In fact, according to the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, men who were prescribed ED drugs are 2 to 3 times more likely to contract an STD, particularly HIV or chlamydia, than men who aren’t popping Viagra.

Earlier research has found that men aged 50 and older are less likely to use a condom and less likely to be tested for HIV compared with people in their 20s.  It’s not hard to understand why this trend is happening.  “We are typically unaccustomed to practice safe sex over the age of 50, because the risk of pregnancy is eliminated,” study lead author Dr. Anupam B. Jena of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Viagra.  Meet Trojan.  Trojan?  Meet Viagra.  Guys — we’re happy you’re enjoying great sex, but please stay safe.  And if you haven’t gotten your routine STD or HIV test, we’re here to help.

• Are you at risk?  Get a Free Test Recommendation.
• Get tested for the 8 most common STDs today.
  

But what about the rest of us in our 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond?  While it’s critical to teach young people how to protect themselves, why is this important public health awareness effort so focused on teenagers?  FACT: The highest number of newly acquired cases of HIV/AIDS have been found in middle aged adults, ages 35 to 44.  Next highest age group?  Ages 45 to 54.  The least affected group is the youngest group between the age of 25 to 34.  This is CDC published data.

The new faces of HIV/AIDs are not gay men or the sexually promiscuous or IV drug users.  It’s the woman over 50 who doesn’t use condoms because she’s not worried about getting pregnant.  Or the divorced 42 year dad who’s dating again after many years and doesn’t know how to bring up the subject about using condoms or STD testing.  Viagra, Facebook, online dating, midlife divorce, and lack of awareness may be contributing forces but STDs are no longer an affliction of the young.

And maybe… it’s just that grownups are not so good at using condoms.  In a University of Chicago survey of single women ages 58 to 93, nearly 60% said they didn’t use a condom the last time they had sex. A May 2008 study conducted by the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene showed that among single people with at least two sexual partners, 56% of people over age 45 reported using condoms the last time they had sex, compared with 61% of 25-to-44-year-olds and 80% of 18-to-24-year-olds.