AIDS.
The story isn't as sexy as it once was...
Especially in the US...It doesn't get nearly the attention that it should.
But have a read...
http://ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/2006nov/2103.htm
The Bush Administration seems to want to pretend new AIDS infections are only happening overseas these days.
Meanwhile as the federal government downplays what's happening, while knowingly sitting on quite scary stats...in the Southern US, HIV is on the rise-big time.
And sadly, in some areas, new infection rates have doubled. Especially in the rural south.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003442502_aids22.html
Why are people still getting infected?
Because people are human for starters.
Because People are still having sex.
Because over 36 million people on the planet are addicted to Meth.
Because there are guys out there who don't identify as being "gay' but who still mess around with guys...which is a larger percentage of the population than those who openly identify as gay or bisexual...these Brokeback Dudes get infected then bring HIV back home to their wives and girlfriends, as well as their same sex partners...
I believe that if every person who'd ever had sex with someone of the same sex displayed a bright shining halo over the head, all anti gay discrimination and hatred would end. Far more people have messed around with the same sex than most folks would believe.
HIV infection in prison is another huge story waiting to be told. Prisoners don't have access to condoms...Why?
It is "criminal" that our "head in the sand" corrections officials, along with the government, claim that because prisoners aren't allowed to have sex, that voila, they aren't having sex....
Yet HIV infection rates among incarcerated folks continue to rise.
More fuzzy math for you.
The religious conservatives want us to believe that the only sex that should be happening is procreation sex. Well, unfortunately while that might be a nice old testament wish, its hardly realistic.
Like when has our species ever been able to hold to that sort of strategy?
Religious goups encourage teenagers to practice abstinence. They don't want to teach them about healthy sexual interaction. Condoms. Birth Control.
Indeed many teenagers make such a pledge....yet what do we find a couple years later? Numerous peer reviewed academic studies have shown that those who pledge abstinence show no different sexual activity rates than those who haven't taken the pledge.
But get this-their incidence of STDs and unplanned pregnancies is higher.
Nearly 40% of all births happened out of wedlock in the US last year.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003441735_birthwedlock21.html
Yet the Republicans only want to talk about abstinence. Again the south is one of the most conservative areas in the nation. Yet it also has the fastest growing AIDS infection rates. See how well this strategy works?
That's a strong statement I know, but its true. Religious doctrines, such as spreading myths about the reliability of condoms, and living in the dark ages regarding human sexuality, have hardly been productive HIV prevention strategies.
Religious people are no different than non religious people. People like to have sex. Many religious men have cheated on their wives. Some have used drugs. Others have lived closeted dualities-juggling both straight/gay lives. Just because someone goes to church, does not gaurantee anything. Ted Haggard, Jimmy Swaggart, and Jim Baker all were deeply religious men and look at the type of behavior they were engaged in...
I know that there are those who would argue with this perspective. I understant that viewpoint. But I also believe we are rapidly approaching a point where if something isn't done to get HIV Infection rates to reverse-and that means widespread Condoms use for those not in monogamous relationships, regular HIV testing, and hopefully soon microbicides, we are going to be looking at economic collapse in several parts of the world.
If you haven't been tested for HIV in the last six months, please consider getting tested. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends everyone between the ages of 13 and 70 get tested for HIV as part of a regular medical screening...
That's right, our conservative controlled CDC is now asking everyone to get tested. Do you think they might have a good reason for that? Even if they aren't exactly willing to admit what everyone already knows-that people like to have sex and that we are looking at a catastrophy if we don't start dealing with HIV.
Get tested. Whether you' re Gay. Straight. Married. Single. Not sure. In short, everyone.
If you aren't in a monogamous relationship or don't know for sure that both you and your partner are negative and always faithful, please get tested...
Health officials believe that nearly 40% of the folks in the US who are infected with HIV don't even know they have it. Recently health officials have learned that newly infected people are far more contagious than those who've been infected for over a year. Its easier for recently infected people to pass HIV on to their partner.
Getting tested is easier than ever. New oral tests don't even require a blood sample. Reliable oral HIV test results are available within 20 minutes. Another screening method is the new RNA HIV test. This one is a traditional blood test, but it is quite reliable and sensitive. The RNA test will be able to tell you if you've been exposed as recently as a couple weeks ago.
You should also get tested for everything else....HPV, Herpes, Gonorrhea
Chlamydia and syphilis testing are important. Many people don't know they are infected with these diseases because they have no symptoms. Yet if these infections are left undiagnosed and untreated, say you do have untreated STD's, they increase your risk of contracting HIV.
I know getting tested is about as fun as going to the dentist. I can think of so many other things I'd rather do. But knowing your status is equally important. Not just for your sake but also for the people you love.
I've been getting tested regularly now for years. Although I'm negative, and monogamous, its still important to get tested.
Here is a great site that deals with this issue frankly.
http://www.shotworthy.com/
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