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Dear Dog-ter,
I'm already HIV-positive and pushing 50. Do I really need to be concerned
with safe sex and my overall health?
—Daddy POZ
Dear Daddy POZ,
Great question! The answer is YES!
No matter what your age, it's good to be health-conscious, especially
with your sexual health and that of the local gay/bi community. If we're
ever going to get HIV/AIDS under control we must care about ourselves
and our communities.
In a recent study, MEN have DETECTABLE HIV in their SEMEN more often
than women do in their vaginal secretions, thus making them more likely
to INFECT sex partners. Also, in the same study, 70% of the men taking
antiretroviral drugs had detectable HIV in their semen, compared to 82%
of men NOT taking anti-HIV drugs. So, antiretroviral drugs may reduce
but do not eliminate your chances of infecting others.
So, the researchers of this study conclude, "on or off antiretroviral
therapy, men may be more
infectious than women." (Source: POZ February 2005)
In addition, the following general health recommendations for gay and
bisexual men (and really, all men) help promote health and prevent disease:
- Not smoking and avoiding smoky places. Save the money you would
have spent on smoking or buy more important things, as FOOD &
CLOTHING.
- Eating a healthy and varied diet that is low in fat and high in
fiber. Fresh fruits and vegetables... can't keep still? Snack on a
carrot or celery.
- Drinking only in moderation. Two drinks a day is in moderation.
But, DO drink plenty of water: 8 glasses per day is great!
- Regular health exams and screening for STDs.
- Regular prostate and colon cancer screening after age 50. Schedule
one with your doctor.
- Tetanus immunization booster every 10 years. Schedule one with your
doctor.
- 30 minutes of aerobic activity 3-4 times per week. Walking is good...
watching porn is NOT aerobic exercise! (masturbation is not aerobic;
for exercise to be aerobic one must do it for atleast 20 min, getting
the pulse up to 130-140/min. levels)
Positively yours,
the Dog-ter
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