Module 5: HIV Transmission and Prevention
Module 5: HIV Transmission and Prevention, Screen 6 of 17
Risk Reduction Options for Bill
It’s not going to work to tell Bill how dangerous unprotected sex is. Instead, the counselor could ask Bill if he is interested in talking about options to reduce the chances of transmitting HIV, and if he has any ideas for options that might work for him. Here is some framework for thinking about options:
Bill is not necessarily opposed to using condoms. Since he arranges his encounters online, one thing he could do is tell guys he’s chatting with online which sexual activities he likes—but only with a condom—and which activities won’t require condoms. Those men who are not interested in using condoms at all will probably just pass on meeting up with him.
Another thing Bill could do is try to “serosort”: only have sex with men of the same HIV status. He could post his HIV status on the forum and say he is only interested in having sex with other negative men. Or, he could choose to only have anal sex with men who state they are negative, but have oral sex and/or mutual masturbation with men of any status.
Bill could also reduce his risk of HIV transmission by increasing the amount of lube he uses with his partners. Or he could reduce the amount of anal sex, both insertive and receptive, and increase oral and other kinds of sex.
Risk Reduction Options for Bill
It’s not going to work to tell Bill how dangerous unprotected sex is. Instead, the counselor could ask Bill if he is interested in talking about options to reduce the chances of transmitting HIV, and if he has any ideas for options that might work for him. Here is some framework for thinking about options:
Bill is not necessarily opposed to using condoms. Since he arranges his encounters online, one thing he could do is tell guys he’s chatting with online which sexual activities he likes—but only with a condom—and which activities won’t require condoms. Those men who are not interested in using condoms at all will probably just pass on meeting up with him.
Another thing Bill could do is try to “serosort”: only have sex with men of the same HIV status. He could post his HIV status on the forum and say he is only interested in having sex with other negative men. Or, he could choose to only have anal sex with men who state they are negative, but have oral sex and/or mutual masturbation with men of any status.
Bill could also reduce his risk of HIV transmission by increasing the amount of lube he uses with his partners. Or he could reduce the amount of anal sex, both insertive and receptive, and increase oral and other kinds of sex.