The risk is even higher for gay black men. There are several reasons why gay and bisexual men are at higher risk of HIV than their straight counterparts. Some of the reasons are based on certain types of sex that result in greater risk of infection due to how HIV is biologically transmitted. Not all gay men engage in anal sex.
However, anal sex is one of the main reasons that gay men have higher rates of HIV. Scientists have estimated that the average HIV transmission rate during anal sex is 18 times higher than the rate during vaginal intercourse. The risk of acquiring HIV during an act of unprotected anal intercourse is estimated to be 1. Some heterosexual men and women also engage in anal sex. However, there's another biological factor that makes anal sex riskier for gay men.
They are much more likely to engage in both "topping" and "bottoming," or penetrating and receiving. This is known as role variability, and it has been shown to increase HIV transmission risk.
Men who practice receptive, unprotected anal intercourse are at higher risk of contracting HIV. When men do both, the combination of behaviors optimizes the spread of HIV in a way not seen in heterosexual couples.
In heterosexual couples, men are far more likely to penetrate and women to be penetrated. Because of this, HIV is far more likely to spread from the male partner to the female partner than vice versa. Social institutions also play a role in the increased risk of HIV among gay men. In particular, it's been shown that homophobia makes it more difficult for gay men to access health care. A lack of reliable access to care can make a big difference in the spread of HIV. It can lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection.
People are often most infectious during acute new infection. Prompt, effective treatment is also very important, as the treatment reduces infectivity. In addition, certain groups of gay men are at a particularly high risk for another reason. Their risk is high because a large percentage of their potential partners are infected with the virus.
Where more people in the community have HIV, there is a higher risk that someone will be exposed. This is particularly problematic for black MSM. They often date within very small communities. After initial infection, people may not have any symptoms for years. HIV can be controlled with the right medical treatment and care. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.
Gay and Bisexual Men's Health. Section Navigation. In a recent Auckland study, 1 in 15 gay and bi guys were found to have HIV. The reality is that there are fewer gay and bi guys than there are straight men and women. This makes gay and bi guys much more closely connected, sexually, than the rest of the population.
Knowing your HIV status means you can get access to treatment and support, as well as prevent yourself passing it on to others. Using condoms and lube every time you have anal sex is the most wide-spread and effective method we have to prevent HIV.
The more times you have anal sex without condoms, the more often you should test. Book a free and confidential HIV rapid test , with results in 20 minutes. Any personal information that you provide to us, or authorise us to collect, will be collected and used in accordance with the Privacy Act and our Privacy Policy. What kind of tests are available? Watch videos of real people sharing why they get tested. Who is it for? How well does it work? Watch videos of real people sharing their experiences with the pill to prevent HIV.
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