Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Incidence is the number of new HIV infections in a given year (say, in the US).

Prevalence is the number of people living with HIV in that year (say, in the US).

Transmission rate is incidence divided by prevalence (and then multiplied by 100)….this tell us, for every 100 people living with HIV in a given year in the US, how many transmission are there to HIV negative partners.

Saturday, December 06, 2008

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        > Getting tested together may be a viable prevention strategy for some. However, this depends very much on the nature of the sexual relationship. If sex is occurring spontaneously and/or anonymously, mutual health screens would not be a viable prevention strategy.

Nevertheless, you would know something about your potential partner.


        > For those who are more intentional about their sexual relationships this can be a valid option. However, there are some pitfalls. If the relationship is to be ongoing, will it be monogamous and how do you assure that? Also, when the HIV/STD tests are conducted, what length of time has passed since the last possible exposure? In view of these questions, mutual health screens can present a false sense of safety or security.

Especially for those who imagine an HIV test protects you from
AIDS or cures it! People have to start taking the first steps towards
being responsible for themselves and others. If they don't then I
predict that the AIDS crisis marches on.


        > Unless, there has been some honest and open conversation prior to entering into the sexual activity, every negative test in the world cannot protect you from disease.

And no imaginary "honest" conversation will detect or predict or
cure any of the diseases a potential partner may have. Tests are
predictably "honest". Conversation should never be relied on for
honesty. Would you like a list of dead people who believed in
"honest" conversation?


        > You must first establish a rapport with the partner that allows for honesty, trust and open communication.

We know from reality/experience just how well that has worked out.
Check your above list of dead people.

        > Unless that is happening, other prevention strategies (condoms, abstinence, etc.) should be considered.

How has that been working out? Know any dead people who "said"
they "always" wear a condom or practice abstinence?

Friday, December 05, 2008

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        > and honestly..In my experience, even as a safe-sex activist, as men who are horny, we want to have sex right away-

Then you're not a safe sex advocate as you thought you were. http://www.google.com/search?q=all+hat+and+no+cattle All hat and no cattle that's called. Say one thing and do another is that train of thought.


        > I get that that might be the problem, but there's a very small chance that either party is going to get tested before giving or receiving a casual blowjob.

Right there... casual. Still not a safe sex advocate.


        > How about "Educate yourself before hooking up.

Hooking up... right there. More unsafe sex.


        > Discuss status and your interests in sex BEFORE having sex?"

Yeah, forget the testing before sex
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        > I have not seen any data that gives an answer to your question.

It's important to continue looking into all enquiries as premise of the program you're offering, including the enquiries you want to get and you've prepared scripts for and the enquiries that appear contrary to your own point of view. Some ideas remain the same. Some ideas change.


        > Getting tested together may be a viable prevention strategy for some. However, this depends very much on the nature of the sexual relationship. If sex is occurring spontaneously and/or anonymously, mutual health screens would not be a viable prevention strategy.
        >
        > For those who are more intentional about their sexual relationships this can be a valid option. However, there are some pitfalls. If the relationship is to be ongoing, will it be monogamous and how do you assure that?

Ankle cuffs.

The strategy "Let's get tested TOGETHER BEFORE we have sex, for A VARIETY of STDs.", a sexual health checkup reduces ambiguity/risks and can be like anything else POTENTIAL sex partners do together. The strategy is getting tested to share information about existing infections and using the information.There's no test for mutual fidelity.


        > Also, when the HIV/STD tests are conducted, what length of time has passed since the last possible exposure?

The length of time before any latency is a lot more time, than the window period. If you don't get tested together, that doesn't provide opportunity to get information about the STDs that could've been detected. If you don't get tested together there's no opportunity to know that persons status. The words that come out of a person's mouth provide no real information about that person's status and neither does their imagination.

        > In view of these questions, mutual health screens can present a false sense of safety or security.

That's true only if you believe testing only cures aids or prevents you from getting it. It's what you do a moment after you take the test that matters. If you go on and do something irresponsible after you do something responsible getting the test it completely nullifys what you did.


There's no evidence of lack of efficacy. You wrote you haven't seen any data. To make that claim is the same logical fallacy represented by attempting to make that claim. There's plenty of evidence for lack of efficacy for so called safer sex practices and condoms. 20 years of pushing it. After all the years of the campaigns the epidemics rage on out of control, see
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/incidence.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/incidence.htm


        > Unless, there has been some honest and open conversation prior to entering into the sexual activity, every negative test in the world cannot protect you from disease. You must first establish a rapport

rapport doesn't cure or prevent aids



        > with the partner that allows for honesty, trust and open communication.

neither honesty, trust, open communication cures or prevents aids.


        > Unless that is happening, other prevention strategies (condoms, abstinence, etc.) should be considered.

Condoms, abstinence and other prevention strategies are clearly what has not worked.


That's what the strategy getting tested TOGETHER BEFORE having sex, for A VARIETY of STDs does. It raises the standard of health for POTENTIAL sex partners. You need to know about infections to reduce the ambiguity and communicate openly.


It also changes the consciousness of the two people involved. Would a genuinely responsible person refuse to get tested for example?