Module 5: HIV Transmission and Prevention
Module 5: HIV Transmission and Prevention, Screen 15 of 17
Paolo Helps Greg Explore His Feelings
Greg: That’s true. Well, there is one thing I already do. I don’t let guys come inside me.
Paolo: That does lower the risk of HIV transmission. It’s just that you seem to be so worried about HIV. Even though that reduces the chances, I wonder if you feel it’s enough for you.
Greg: I’m not sure. Sometimes it feels too difficult to change. And, honestly, when everything goes OK, I like the feeling of raw sex. But it’s sort of a death wish, isn’t it? That’s why I’m thinking about seeing that therapist.
Paolo: You think there’s something more to this than just pleasure.
Greg: Definitely.
Paolo: I’m going to take a stab at summing up what you’re saying, because I want to make sure I really get what’s going on. Sometimes you use condoms, sometimes you don’t. The times you don’t are a mix of the “proving a point” thing and “it feels better.” Either way, though, you feel that something needs to change. You’re thinking about seeing a therapist, and you already make sure guys don’t come inside you when you bottom. You’re not sure what else you might do.
Greg: I’ve been thinking about switching to more oral sex. I could do that for a while.
Paolo: Switching to oral sex would decrease the chance of transmitting HIV a lot.
Greg: Because oral sex isn’t such a big deal for HIV, right?
Paolo: There’s still a small risk with oral sex, but it’s way below bottoming or topping raw.
Paolo Helps Greg Explore His Feelings
Greg: That’s true. Well, there is one thing I already do. I don’t let guys come inside me.Paolo: That does lower the risk of HIV transmission. It’s just that you seem to be so worried about HIV. Even though that reduces the chances, I wonder if you feel it’s enough for you.
Greg: I’m not sure. Sometimes it feels too difficult to change. And, honestly, when everything goes OK, I like the feeling of raw sex. But it’s sort of a death wish, isn’t it? That’s why I’m thinking about seeing that therapist. Paolo: You think there’s something more to this than just pleasure.
Greg: Definitely.
Paolo: I’m going to take a stab at summing up what you’re saying, because I want to make sure I really get what’s going on. Sometimes you use condoms, sometimes you don’t. The times you don’t are a mix of the “proving a point” thing and “it feels better.” Either way, though, you feel that something needs to change. You’re thinking about seeing a therapist, and you already make sure guys don’t come inside you when you bottom. You’re not sure what else you might do.
Greg: I’ve been thinking about switching to more oral sex. I could do that for a while.
Paolo: Switching to oral sex would decrease the chance of transmitting HIV a lot.
Greg: Because oral sex isn’t such a big deal for HIV, right?
Paolo: There’s still a small risk with oral sex, but it’s way below bottoming or topping raw.