HIV Infections and ART

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) represent approximately 2% of the US population, yet are the population most severely affected by HIV.

• In 2009, (men who have sex with men) MSM accounted for 61% of new HIV infections in the US and 79% of infections among all newly infected men. Compared with other groups, MSM accounted for the largest numbers of new HIV infections in 2009.
• Among all MSM, white MSM accounted for 11,400 (39%) new HIV infections in 2009. The largest number of new infections (3,400) occurred in those aged 40–49.
• Among all MSM, black/African American MSM accounted for 10,800 (37%) new HIV infections in 2009. Whereas new HIV infections were relatively stable among MSM overall from 2006–2009, they increased 34% among young MSM—an increase largely due to a 48% increase among young black/African American MSM aged 13–29.
• Among all MSM, Hispanic/Latino MSM accounted for 6,000 (20%) new HIV infections in 2009. The largest percentage of new infections (45%) occurred in those aged 13–29.

I’ve looked through the guidelines given to doctors to combat HIV/AIDs in gay men.  They include counseling for condoms, screening and treatment for other sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis vaccine, and PrEP, short for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, the combination medication tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus emtricitabine (TDF/FTC).   PrEP was approved in July, 2012 and treatment costs about $14,000 a year, requires constant monitoring, and absolute adherence to the drug regimen. Giving it to uninfected people who don’t have HIV might prevent those already infected from receiving it. 

In the guidelines I saw nothing about chastity or celibacy, the only two methods which are 100% effective in combating HIV and have no toxic side effects.