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Misinformation

• joshuaxaaron Posts: 10
  QUOTE May 25, 2012 5:17 AM GMT

  I was on a gay website, where someone posted something asking people whether they prefer BB or condoms with sex. The resulting comments caused me great consternation at the lack of basic knowledge of gay men.
  
  It was stated that condoms fail 10% of the time to prevent HIV transmission because the virus is so small it can pass through the latex condom.
  
  This is taking a study, in which 10% of the participants contracted HIV even after using condoms. The cause was determined to be not using condoms properly, human error.
  
  Condoms are 99.99% effective at preventing HIV transmission when used correctly, and the virus is not capable of "penetrating" the condom.
  
  Later in the post someone mentioned new research [and a subsequent suggestion by an FDA panel] for people to start using Truvada as a prophylactic for HIV contraction. The person posting called this a "morning after pill."
  
  This completely distorts the reality of the research. The drug is proven to reduce risk for contracting HIV when individuals take the medication DAILY for as long as they are sexually active [indefinitely].
  
  This also does not mention the fact that there are drug resistant strains of HIV and the if someone fails to stick to the medication regiment and manages to contract HIV they can potentially allow it to become drug resistant and pass it on to others because they think they are not able to contract HIV.
  
  The amount of misinformation and lack of knowledge frankly frightens me and illustrates the need for thorough education about STI's, HIV and sexual health.

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  QUOTE May 25, 2012 1:12 PM GMT

  They must be getting their sex ed from Chick Tracts. This lie is straight out of the warped mind of Jack Chick.
  
  
  
  Apparently, health care workers wear latex gloves just for show.

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• jim_stl Posts: 2094
  QUOTE May 25, 2012 5:51 PM GMT

  Not going to argue your other stuff, but this:
  
  

  joshuaxaaron saidLater in the post someone mentioned new research [and a subsequent suggestion by an FDA panel] for people to start using Truvada as a prophylactic for HIV contraction. The person posting called this a "morning after pill."
  
  This completely distorts the reality of the research. The drug is proven to reduce risk for contracting HIV when individuals take the medication DAILY for as long as they are sexually active [indefinitely].

  
  
  Was that poster discussing post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)? If they were discussing PEP then that isn't misinformation; PEP needs to start as soon as possible (such as the morning after), often uses Truvada, and lasts four weeks. PrEP, on the other hand, is indefinite (as you describe). The FDA panel was examining PrEP in light of PEP's apparent successes, so it's easy to confuse the two.

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• calibro Posts: 8888
  QUOTE May 25, 2012 5:53 PM GMT

  Elusium saidThey must be getting their sex ed from Chick Tracts. This lie is straight out of the warped mind of Jack Chick.
  
  
  
  Apparently, health care workers wear latex gloves just for show.

  
  
  isn't the whole supposed to be in the glove... how else do you put your hand in the glove?

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• Bullwinklemoo... Posts: 6389
  QUOTE May 25, 2012 6:00 PM GMT

  I was taught that in public school like 7 years ago. Don't blame them, blame the system.

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  QUOTE May 26, 2012 1:46 PM GMT

  I was always told condoms are no fun and you should not wear them because they make your cock look plastic. Is that not true?

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• TufLuck Posts: 30
  QUOTE May 29, 2012 9:18 PM GMT

  joshuaxaaron saidI was on a gay website, where someone posted something asking people whether they prefer BB or condoms with sex. The resulting comments caused me great consternation at the lack of basic knowledge of gay men.
  
  It was stated that condoms fail 10% of the time to prevent HIV transmission because the virus is so small it can pass through the latex condom.
  
  This is taking a study, in which 10% of the participants contracted HIV even after using condoms. The cause was determined to be not using condoms properly, human error.
  
  Condoms are 99.99% effective at preventing HIV transmission when used correctly, and the virus is not capable of "penetrating" the condom.
  
  Later in the post someone mentioned new research [and a subsequent suggestion by an FDA panel] for people to start using Truvada as a prophylactic for HIV contraction. The person posting called this a "morning after pill."
  
  This completely distorts the reality of the research. The drug is proven to reduce risk for contracting HIV when individuals take the medication DAILY for as long as they are sexually active [indefinitely].
  
  This also does not mention the fact that there are drug resistant strains of HIV and the if someone fails to stick to the medication regiment and manages to contract HIV they can potentially allow it to become drug resistant and pass it on to others because they think they are not able to contract HIV.
  
  The amount of misinformation and lack of knowledge frankly frightens me and illustrates the need for thorough education about STI's, HIV and sexual health.

  
  
  As an openly poz gay man, I have to agree with your statement in general. There is a large amount of mis and disinformation out there regarding HIV and how it's transmitted, even in this day and age of instant access to correct information. Just the other day I had a good looking bloke hit me up on Grindr (BTW, my profile clearly says I'm poz) and he complimented me on being fit/in shape but it was a back handed complement.
  
  First he asked when I tested hot, so I told him (over four years ago) and then he said something like "wow kudos for still being in such good shape even with the meds you have to take".
  
  Now, I know he meant well but I found it kind of rude for him to 1) be 31 years old and still so basically ignorant about HIV and meds (assuming that they still cause people to waste away) and 2) that being HIV positive has anything to do with big fit or in shape, when we all know that's diet and exercise, period. This doesn't happen often, but it does happen.
  
  I personally have big issues, as does a large segment of the scientific community, about the FDAs recent panel approval of using Truvada as a 'morning after pill' for preventing HIV infection. It has very specific dosage requirements and I think information would quickly get misunderstood by a majority of people who will use it incorrectly increasing the likelihood of new infections and new drug resistant strains.
  
  Tuffie

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• jim_stl Posts: 2094
  QUOTE May 29, 2012 9:22 PM GMT

  Minor quibble:
  
  

  TufLuck saidI personally have big issues, as does a large segment of the scientific community, about the FDAs recent panel approval of using Truvada as a 'morning after pill' for preventing HIV infection.

  
  
  They've been using Truvada as a "morning after" pill (post-exposure prophylaxis) for a while. The recent FDA discussion was about using Truvada as a "morning before" pill (pre-exposure prophylaxis) as well.
  
  Beyond that, I hear you completely. I've been positive for over ten years now, and I still cringe at the "but you don't look positive" comments. I mean, really? That's your brilliant avoidance mechanism?

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• jim_stl Posts: 2094
  QUOTE May 29, 2012 9:47 PM GMT

  TufLuck saidFirst he asked when I tested hot

  
  
  Also, I know that's a typo, but:
  
  [smooth]
  Baby, you test hot every day.
  [/smooth]
  
  

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  QUOTE May 29, 2012 10:22 PM GMT

  My partner was at a gay club with friends, when he overheard a couple of 20-somethings sitting next to him at the bar talking about sex. One had just tricked the night before, and his friend asked if he had used a condom when he bottomed.
  
  "Nah, only guys over 35 get HIV, young guys don't spread it."
  
  My partner couldn't contain himself, working with the HIV/AIDS community, and butted into their conversation. And when he'd explained the fallacy of that belief, that even children contract HIV, the virus not limited to a magical age of 35 plus, the barebacking guy snapped back at him:
  
  "What do you know, old man? You'll be dead before I am."
  
  "Not with that attitude," replied my partner. "You'll be dead and buried from AIDS and I'll still be here." Obviously the kid wasn't gonna change, and by now he may be another statistic and a burden on our health system.

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  QUOTE May 29, 2012 11:27 PM GMT

  TufLuck saidAs an openly poz gay man, I have to agree with your statement in general. There is a large amount of mis and disinformation out there regarding HIV and how it's transmitted, even in this day and age of instant access to correct information. Just the other day I had a good looking bloke hit me up on Grindr (BTW, my profile clearly says I'm poz) and he complimented me on being fit/in shape but it was a back handed complement.
  
  First he asked when I tested hot, so I told him (over four years ago) and then he said something like "wow kudos for still being in such good shape even with the meds you have to take".
  
  Now, I know he meant well but I found it kind of rude for him to 1) be 31 years old and still so basically ignorant about HIV and meds (assuming that they still cause people to waste away) and 2) that being HIV positive has anything to do with big fit or in shape, when we all know that's diet and exercise, period. This doesn't happen often, but it does happen.
  
  I personally have big issues, as does a large segment of the scientific community, about the FDAs recent panel approval of using Truvada as a 'morning after pill' for preventing HIV infection. It has very specific dosage requirements and I think information would quickly get misunderstood by a majority of people who will use it incorrectly increasing the likelihood of new infections and new drug resistant strains.
  
  Tuffie

  Thanks for posting. I'm Proud of You for being smart and kind enough to post that you are HIV Positive on your profile, but even more so because you haven't seem to have lost any hunger for Living Your Life! That makes you so Strong and Beautiful in my book!
  HUGS!*
  HUGS!*
  HUGS!*
  HUGS!*
  HUGS!*

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  QUOTE May 30, 2012 12:43 AM GMT

  TufLuck...I know how you feel about the Truvada approval for PrEP. If people take it just as a safety precaution, they may not take it as often as they're supposed to. I'm on Atripla, so I take it because I know it helps to keep the virus in check and keep me healthy. And if someone start to experience side effects taking it for PrEP, I think they would stop more quickly than you or I would. As for PEP, since that only lasts for a month or so, I think adherence is more likely. For godsake, can't people just wear a condom, it's easier and cheaper, and still very effective.
  
  Even though there are many people who are misinformed out there, in the year since I've been diagnosed, I have found many people who are willing to listen and learn.

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  QUOTE Jul 29, 2012 11:23 PM GMT

  [quote][cite]joshuaxaaron said[/cite
  It was stated that condoms fail 10% of the time to prevent HIV transmission because the virus is so small it can pass through the latex condom.
  [/quote]
  Yeah, I've heard of this myth also being present in some hardhit areas in Africa.

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