Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
A medical question. I've often heard it said that one is far more likely to contract HIV as a result of gay sex than straight sex. Is this statement true purely as a result of the incidence of HIV infections in the gay male community (i.e. the proportion of gay men who have HIV is vastly higher than the proportion of straight people) - or is there also a mechanical component that makes the virus more likely to spread via certain sexual activities than others? That is to say, supposing Alice and Bob both have HIV, and they've both had it for the same duration, neither are taking PReP. Is Carl more likely to contract HIV as a result of having anal sex with Bob than as a result of having vaginal sex with Alice? Moreover, if Carl had anal sex with Alice, would he have the same risk of contracting HIV as he would if he had anal sex with Bob? Lastly, does it make a difference who the receptive partner is - is Carl more or less likely to contract HIV from Bob if he's the bottom than if he's the top, or does it make a difference?
What follows was learned over a decade ago in microbiology class and may be out of date.
HIV exclusively infects cells of the immune system through a handful of receptors, none of which are expressed on the mucosa of the anus/vaginal tissue. As a consequence, it needs to penetrate multiple layers of mucus and epithelial tissue before it can reach a cell that it can productively (use to produce more viral particles) infect. Anal sex generates microtears in the mucosa much more readily than vaginal sex and provides more opportunities for the virus to reach the bloodstream/immune tissues. There was also some speculation about 'sensor' immune cells that reach into the epithelium that may also act as a route for infection, but I'm skeptical.
What shocked me in that class was just how rare transmission was; you can see the numbers in the table morgenland linked. Made me think that you have to be either extremely unlucky, extremely promiscuous or just stupid/desperate enough to share needles to get infected.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link