Rate of HIV Infections Among Young Black Gay and Bisexual Men Increases

In today’s health section of the Sun Sentinel newspaper in South Florida, it is reported that recent studies by U.S. experts indicate that between 2006 – 2009 HIV infections rose nearly 50% among young black gay and bisexual men. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . . . “gay and bisexual men of all races continue to be most severely affected by HIV in the United States. They are the only risk group in the U.S. in which the annual number of new HIV infections is increasing, accounting for more than half of all new HIV infections in the U.S. annually. The rate of new HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men is more than 44 times that of other men (range: 522–989 per 100,000 MSM vs. 12 per 100,000 other men).”

The CDC recommends that gay and bisexual men be tested for HIV at least annually. Men with multiple partners or anonymous partners, and men who have sex while using drugs (including meth) or whose partner engages in these activities, should be tested more frequently (every 3-6 months). Call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit http://www.hivtest.org to find HIV testing locations near you.

To learn more about sexually transmitted diseases, including prevention, treatment and testing procedures, visit: www.std-education.com

Most Common STDs

A Sexually Transmitted Disease, also known as an "STD", is an infection that is transmitted between two or more individuals usually during a sexual act or some other exchange of bodily fluids. It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") that more than 50% of all people will contract a Sexually Transmitted Disease in their lifetime.

Some Sexually Transmitted Diseases, such as the HIV and Syphilis infections, can also be spread by non-sexual contact with bodily fluids. Such infections would include transmission to an unborn child through the mother during pregnancy and delivery, or infections spread from person to person through intravenous drug use (including tattooing or ear piercing procedures) with an unclean ("dirty") needle.

Bacterial infections and those STDs caused by parasites can be effectively treated with medication and cured. Symptoms of STDs which are caused by viral infections (such as HIV, Genital Herpes or Hepatitis) are treatable, but the disease itself cannot be cured.

For a more complete guide to the basics of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, including treatment alternatives and prevention, please visit: http://www.std-education.com.

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