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PopSecret
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Here are some facts about HIV and AIDS from http://www.aids.org/info/FAQs.html
Facts can differ greatly from conjecture. Much of this will be obvious to most of us (I hope), but some of the comments on here make me wonder. I apologize for the length of this post, but this is a serious topic. If you want to refute these claims, then back up your comments with actual data from verifiable sources.
How many people have HIV and AIDS?
Worldwide: UNAIDS estimates that as of December 2000, there were an estimated 36.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS (34.7 million adults and 1.4 million children under 15). Since the epidemic began, an estimated 21.8 million people have died of AIDS (17.5 million adults and 4.3 million children under 15).
An estimated 5.3 million new HIV infections occurred in 2000. During 2000, HIV- and AIDS-associated illnesses caused deaths of an estimated 3 million people, including 500,000 children under the age of 15.
In the United States: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are between 800,000 and 900,000 people living with HIV. Through December 2000, a total of 774,467 cases of AIDS have been reported to the CDC; of this number, 448,060 persons (representing 58% of cases) have died. (Source: Centers for Disease Control - CDC)
How can I tell if I'm infected with HIV?
The only way to determine whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. You can't rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected with HIV. Many people who are infected with HIV don't have any symptoms at all for many years.
Similarly, you can't rely on symptoms to establish that a person has AIDS. The symptoms associated with AIDS are similar to the symptoms of many other diseases. AIDS is a diagnosis made by a doctor based on specific criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Source: Centers for Disease Control - CDC)
What are the Symptoms of HIV?
Primary HIV infection is the first stage of HIV disease, when the virus first establishes itself in the body. Some researchers use the term acute HIV infection to describe the period of time between when a person is first infected with HIV and when antibodies against the virus are produced by the body (usually 6- 12 weeks).
Some people newly infected with HIV will experience some "flu-like" symptoms. These symptoms, which usually last no more than a few days, might include fevers, chills, night sweats and rashes (not cold-like symptoms). Other people either do not experience "acute infection," or have symptoms so mild that they may not notice them.
Given the general character of the symptoms of acute infection, they can easily have causes other than HIV, such as a flu infection. For example, if you had some risk for HIV a few days ago and are now experiencing flu-like symptoms, it might be possible that HIV is responsible for the symptoms, but it is also possible that you have some other viral infection. (Source: Centers for Disease Control - CDC)
What are the Symptoms of AIDS?
There are no common symptoms for individuals diagnosed with AIDS. When immune system damage is more severe, people may experience opportunistic infections (called opportunistic because they are caused by organisms which cannot induce disease in people with normal immune systems, but take the "opportunity" to flourish in people with HIV). Most of these more severe infections, diseases and symptoms fall under the Centers for Disease Control's definition of full-blown "AIDS." The median time to receive an AIDS diagnosis among those infected with HIV is 7-10 years. (Source: Centers for Disease Control - CDC)
How is HIV Transmitted?
HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to another through:
Blood (including menstrual blood)
Semen
Vaginal secretions
Breast milk
Blood contains the highest concentration of the virus, followed by semen, followed by vaginal fluids, followed by breast milk.
Activities That Allow HIV Transmission
Unprotected sexual contact
Direct blood contact, including injection drug needles, blood transfusions, accidents in health care settings or certain blood products
Mother to baby (before or during birth, or through breast milk)
Sexual intercourse (vaginal and anal) : In the genitals and the rectum, HIV may infect the mucous membranes directly or enter through cuts and sores caused during intercourse (many of which would be unnoticed). Vaginal and anal intercourse is a high-risk practice.
Oral sex (mouth-penis, mouth-vagina) : The mouth is an inhospitable environment for HIV (in semen, vaginal fluid or blood), meaning the risk of HIV transmission through the throat, gums, and oral membranes is lower than through vaginal or anal membranes. There are however, documented cases where HIV was transmitted orally, so we can't say that getting HIV-infected semen, vaginal fluid or blood in the mouth is without risk. However, oral sex is considered a low risk practice.
Sharing injection needles: An injection needle can pass blood directly from one person's bloodstream to another. It is a very efficient way to transmit a blood-borne virus. Sharing needles is considered a high-risk practice.
Mother to Child: It is possible for an HIV-infected mother to pass the virus directly before or during birth, or through breast milk. Breast milk contains HIV, and while small amounts of breast milk do not pose significant threat of infection to adults, it is a viable means of transmission to infants.
The following "bodily fluids" are NOT infectious:
Saliva
Tears
Sweat
Feces
Urine
(Source: San Francisco AIDS Foundation)
Can I get HIV from oral sex?
There is considerable debate within the HIV/AIDS prevention community regarding the risk of transmission of HIV through oral sex. What is currently known is that there is some risk associated with performing oral sex without protection; (there have been a few documented cases of HIV transmission through oral sex). While no one knows exactly what that risk is, cumulative evidence indicates that the risk is less than that of unprotected anal or vaginal sex. The risk from receiving oral sex, for both a man and a woman, is considered to be very low.
Currently, risk reduction options when performing oral sex on a man (fellatio) include the use of latex condoms, but also include withdrawal before ejaculation without a condom (avoiding semen in the mouth) and/or refraining from this activity when cuts or sores are present in the mouth.
When performing oral sex on a woman (cunnilingus), moisture barriers such as a dam (sheet of latex), a cut-open and flattened condom, or household plastic wrap can reduce the risk of exposure to vaginal secretions and/or blood.
If you have other questions about oral sex and HIV, call the CDC National AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-2437 (English), 1-800-344-7432 (Spanish), or 1-800-243-7889 (TTY). (Source: Centers for Disease Control - CDC)
Can I get HIV from kissing?
Casual contact through closed-mouth or "social" kissing is not a risk for transmission of HIV. Because of the potential for contact with blood during "French" or open-mouth, wet kissing, CDC recommends against engaging in this activity with a person known to be infected. However, the risk of acquiring HIV during open-mouth kissing is believed to be very low. CDC has investigated only one case of HIV infection that may be attributed to contact with blood during open-mouth kissing. In this case both partners had extensive dental problems including gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). It is likely that there was blood present in both partners' mouths making direct blood to blood contact a possibility. (Source: Centers for Disease Control - CDC)
How effective are latex condoms in preventing HIV?
Several studies have demonstrated that latex condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission when used correctly and consistently. These studies looked at uninfected people considered to be at very high risk of infection because they were involved in sexual relationships with HIV-infected persons. The studies found that even with repeated sexual contact, 98-100% of those people who used latex condoms consistently and correctly remained uninfected. For more on these studies, including free written information, call the CDC National AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-2437 (English), 1-800-344-7432 (Spanish), or 1-800-243-7889 (TTY). (Source: Centers for Disease Control - CDC)
How long after a possible exposure should I be tested for HIV??
The time it takes for a person who has been infected with HIV to seroconvert (test positive) for HIV antibodies is commonly called the "Window Period."
The California Office of AIDS, published in 1998, says about the window period: "When a person is infected with the HIV virus, statistics show that 95-97% (perhaps higher) of all infected individuals develop antibodies within 12 weeks (3-months)."
The National CDC has said that in some rare cases, it may take up to six months for one to seroconvert (test positive). At this point the results would be 99.9% accurate.
* What does this mean for you?
The three-month window period is normal for approximately 95% of the population. If you feel any anxiety about relying on the 3-month result, by all means you should have another test at 6 months. (Source: San Francisco AIDS Foundation)
When do you know for sure that you are not infected with HIV?
The tests commonly used to determine HIV infection actually look for antibodies produced by the body to fight HIV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people will develop detectable antibodies within 3 months after infection. In rare cases, it can take up to six months. Therefore, the CDC recommends testing at 6 months after the last possible exposure. (unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex or sharing injecting drug needles). It would be extremely rare to take longer than six months to develop detectable antibodies. It is important, during the six months between exposure and the 6-month test, to protect yourself and others from further exposures to HIV. The CDC National AIDS Hotline can provide more information and referrals to testing sites in your area. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-342-2437 (English), 1-800-344-7432 (Spanish), or 1-800-243-7889 (TTY).
(Source: Centers for Disease Control - CDC)
Where can I get tested for HIV infection?
Many places provide testing for HIV infection. It is important to seek testing at a location that also provides counseling about HIV and AIDS. Common locations include local health departments, private physicians, hospitals, and test sites specifically set up for HIV testing.
In addition to traditional testing procedures, there are other options. For those who prefer not to have blood drawn, many sites now offer oral fluids testing, which involves testing of a sample of fluid taken from inside the mouth with a cotton swab. The OraSure Test is currently only available through a health care provider or clinic. Some clinics may also offer urine testing as an alternative to blood tests.
There is also testing which can be performed anonymously in the privacy of your own home. There are many home tests advertised through the internet, but only the Home Access Test has been approved by the FDA. The Home Access test kit can be found at most local pharmacies. The testing procedure involves pricking your finger with a special device, placing a drop of blood on a specially treated card, then mailing the card in for testing. You are given an identification number to use when you phone in for the test results-- 3 days or 2 weeks later, depending on the test kit purchased.
The CDC National AIDS Hotline can answer questions about testing and can refer you to testing sites in your area. The hotline numbers are 1-800-342-2437 (English), 1-800-344-7432, (Spanish), or 1-800-243-7889 (TTY).
(Source: Centers for Disease Control - CDC)
What is the difference between an Anonymous and a Confidential Test?
Anonymous and Confidential use the same testing method. The only difference is one does not have your name attached to the results.
Anonymous antibody testing is available at Anonymous Test Sites in most California counties. Anonymous testing means that absolutely no one has access to your test results since your name is never recorded at the test site.
Confidential antibody testing means that you and the health care provider know your results, which may be recorded in your medical file.
(Source: San Francisco AIDS Foundation)
Which test should I have done: Anonymous or Confidential?
It is recommended that one have an anonymous test. The results will only be known to you and will not appear on any records.
Some reasons that one would need a confidential test would be: a result is required for immigration purposes or for some international travel visas; a pregnant woman who is clearly at risk might choose to be tested through her doctor, rather than anonymously, since the result is of key importance to the course of her medical care. (Source: San Francisco AIDS Foundation)
I have heard there are many different types of HIV tests. How do I know which one I should take?
The combination of an Eliza/Western Blot HIV Antibody Test is the accepted testing method for HIV infection. This combination test is looking for the antibodies that develop to fight the HIV virus. There are two ways to conduct this test. Either through a blood draw or through the "Orasure" method (a sample of oral mucus obtained with a specially treated cotton pad that is placed between the cheek and lower gum for two minutes). Both forms, by blood draw or orally, have the same accuracy with their results.
Other tests that you will hear about are Viral Load tests. These tests are used by physicians to monitor their patients who have already tested positive for HIV antibodies. Viral Load tests are very costly and should not be used to determine if one is HIV positive.
(Source: San Francisco AIDS Foundation)
What do test results mean?
A positive result means:
You are HIV-positive (carrying the virus that causes AIDS).
You can infect others and should try to implement precautions to prevent doing so.
A negative result means:
No antibodies were found in your blood at this time.
A negative result does NOT mean:
You are not infected with HIV (if you are still in the window period).
You are immune to AIDS.
You have a resistance to infection.
You will never get AIDS.
(Source: San Francisco AIDS Foundation)
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:58 pm on Aug. 21, 2004
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Jojje
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Excellent and informative entry dr PS! Should make everyone think an extra second when it is time to have fun. My small contribution is that I have also read that BBBJ and normal coitus is very little chance for the male to get hiv. It is always more dangerous to the receiver as I was told and thus the girls really live in a danger zone. The most dangerous sex is anal which I once discussed with a pal who is also a doctor. His belief was that this was not properly put forward as the no 1 high risk since it would focus negatively on the gay people who does a lot of backdoor of course. Guys who does this practice on their TG without protection REALLY increase their riskbehaviour! My doc buddies honest belief was that if you did not have any open wounds on your dick, you could pretty much enter an infected vagina as often as you wanted and would probably not receive the horrible disease. NOT that this practice should ever be tried!!
Finally I think that so many people focus on hiv (and of course rightfully so since it will shorten your life) BUT there are also many other bad diseases out there! Just imagine getting herpes or klamydia. What a nightmare!
Be careful out there! HJ may not be just as fun - but itīs damn safe and not so bad if performed by an artist - such as they may be found at Sazanka or Barons!
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 7:44 pm on Aug. 21, 2004
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Abrak
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Popsecret,
A good post - But if you read through it carefully it contains relatively little in the way of actual facts. The reason for this is that remarkably, there is so little known about this disease and much of the discussion is extremely emotional.
I assume that your comment about backing up with verifiable sources was not aimed at me because I gave you an article with over 30 verifiable sources. My main point comes back to how much 'Neverbeentobkk' should be panicking....
Quote...
'How could they have overlooked her paper, presented at the 1987 conference, in which she demonstrated that the odds were 1000 to one against transmission of HIV in a single act of unprotected vaginal sex between an infected male and an uninfected female? (Source: Abstract THP.3-48:171, presented at the Third International AIDS Conference, Washington, DC, June 1987).
In a 1988 publication, researchers took information of this nature and demonstrated that the odds were 5 million to one against a new HIV infection taking place in a single act of unprotected vaginal sex between two people who are members of that massive population which the CDC recognized and labeled as "heterosexuals without specific identified risk." (Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, April 22/29, 1988, Vol. 259/No. 16, pages 2428-2432).
End Quote
Look....I am not trying to advocate not using condoms or anything like that. As someone once posted - just because you have never been run over by a car, doesnt mean you should cross the road blindfolded.
My point is this... looking as objectively as we can about the facts... Neverbeen should not be getting unduly stressed... I would still GUESS that he is more likely to die from the stress of this incident than from AIDs...
Finally, I have a question.... I notice from the FRs that those people who have had BB sex get lambasted but those who partake in oral sex (I mean licking.... not BJs) do not. To me one is just as risky as the other. Does anyone have any facts about that?
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:49 pm on Aug. 21, 2004
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jack attack
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Never,
Try your best to keep all in perspective as has been mentioned previously. For your own peace of mind, do you have the girls name & tel. number? And what did she say about the incident? Was she upset or worried?
IMO, I am sure you only had a wake up call and nothing will develop.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 11:23 pm on Aug. 21, 2004
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NeverbeentoBKK
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Copied from the other thread
I went back today and they showed me that everything came back negative. Of course there is still that 3-6month window. I am however feeling better. Since Annies was so helpful and concerned as well, I decided to take another girl there.
Anyway, what do you guys make of this. When the incident happened. The girl did not seem concerned at all. She almost took it like a joke as if nothing happened. Very odd.
The woman at Annies said that I was much better off that it happened there where they check. Anyone know how reputable the place is?
Thankfully, I have no gf or wife, but it would create other problems with family members I live with back home if I caught something
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 11:53 am on Aug. 22, 2004
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Kaymanx
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Neverbeen
This is posted after reading your new post which has since been closed by BK who wants us to carry on here. As you might have gathered by now after reading so many posts on your incident, discretion is undeniably the better part of valour. No doubt, we live to screw around, but if we exercise a little caution -- and willingness to learn from the scares life puts us through -- we can be a bit more certain that we don't screw up our lives. It might seem valorous to say, "hey, carry on unperturbed," but as you have just experienced, the consequences can be disastrous. Pay heed, you are still not free from the threat. There is the 6 month period to watch out -- and each time you venture to have unprotected sex, it's 6 months from then on. The girl's laughing over it should open our eyes to the perils around us. Not everyone is careful or even aware of the dangers. While we screw round, it might seem a good idea to hold ourselves back just a wee bit so we live to screw another day.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:06 pm on Aug. 22, 2004
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LocalYokul
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Never been Balled B4,
Well, first of all, learn how to make a post's title, "Urgent" & "Update" aren't doing it for me...
I'm a little surprised that your gal was so nonchalant about the rubber breaking.
I've had the opposite results at Sapahn Kwai
I get the feeling that those gals in Sapahn Kwai are much more concerned over STDs than some of the gals in NEP/SC, and especially PatPong...
Your's Truly,
LKOL 
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:12 am on Aug. 23, 2004
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ThaidUp
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Quote from NeverBeentobangkok "I went back today and they showed me that everything came back negative. Of course there is still that 3-6month window. I am however feeling better. Since Annies was so helpful and concerned as well, I decided to take another girl there. "
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Maybe you should change your handle from never been to NeverShouldHaveGonetoBKK. Anyhow I would be more upset and shocked if the paper bag I used to cover Annie's girls broke. Just looking at the gang in front of the place gives me the willies.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:31 am on Aug. 23, 2004
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Ruthless Stabb
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Reality wears big boots, so you always hear it coming..
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 1:33 am on Aug. 24, 2004
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Doily
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During one session I broke 3 condoms (and they were ones I had bought along) !
Anyway, the chances of getting AIDS are basically nil, especially since you didnt blow your load.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 3:27 am on Aug. 24, 2004
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