Monday, February 04, 2013

Blog #2: "HIV levels in gay men 'not falling'"


BBC News has reported that HIV levels in gay men are ‘not falling’.  They state that researches suggest that a resurgence of risky sexual practice could be behind a failure to curb HIV in gay and bisexual men in England and Wales.  There is a large increase of new cases showing up at about 2,300 a year between 2001 and 2010.  Researchers at the Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit, in Cambridge have estimated when people were infected is based on how well their immune system was.  Today, there has been a greater number of men being tested for HIV in clinics.  Men tested went from 16,000 to 59,000 a year.  It is suggested that campaigning has helped increase the awareness in men about HIV and how important it is to be tested if sexually active and having unsafe sex.

HIV is largely impacting people around the world.  Not only is it affecting people who practice same sex intercourse, but people who have heterosexual intercourse as well.  Poorer regions around the world did not have access to proper medical treatment several years ago.  Today, there are foundations that are funding these poorer regions and making medical treatment available to those who are suffering with HIV and full blown AIDS.  Without a cure, the disease continues to spread.  With people having the ability to travel cheaper and infected with the HIV virus, may spread the disease to someone in another neighboring country or a country far away.  With globalization, meaning “the removal of barriers to free trade and the closer integration of national economies,” means that it is easier for people to connect and build sexual relationships.  The only true way to slow the spreading of the HIV virus is for everyone to be tested annually.  This seems simple, but testing can be expensive and or is not available to poverty stricken nations who cannot afford to be tested.

Jacqueline Wooten
2/4/2013; 9:57 PM





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