Why do gay people have aids

Social and structural issues—such as HIV stigma, homophobia, discrimination, poverty, and limited access to high-quality health care—influence health outcomes and continue to drive inequities. It indicates a behavior that transmits HIV infection, not how individuals self-identify in terms of their sexuality. This web content uses the term gay and bisexual men to represent gay, bisexual, and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact.

Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. While better data is needed to understand the full impact of HIV on the transgender community, one international analysis found that transgender women in certain communities have 49 times the odds of living with HIV than the general population.

In most states , it is perfectly legal to discriminate against someone on the basis of their sexual orientation or their gender identity in one or more aspects of their life, including employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Explicit non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity do not exist at the federal level either. Dealing with the potential consequences of bias and discrimination — job loss, homelessness, lack of healthcare insurance — often results in LGBTQ people engaging in behaviors that facilitate the spread of HIV. For example, in the face of persistent employment discrimination, many transgender women are left with few other options but to engage in survival sex work in order to meet their most basic needs.

A Kaiser Family Foundation survey of gay and bisexual men in the U. For gay and bisexual youth who are just beginning to explore their sexuality, homophobia and other forms of anti-LGBTQ bias help explain why so many young people in our community are unaware of their HIV status.

Of the 1. While undetectable, a person living with HIV remains in good health, and it is virtually impossible transmit the virus to a partner.

Despite the availability of these medications, usage remains low among gay and bisexual men, particularly Black or Hispanic men, according to the CDC. Medical care can be limited for some people as not everyone has access. Even for those who do, not all medical professionals are comfortable prescribing these medications. If you have HIV or another STI, getting treatment and using a condom or other barrier method every time you have sex can reduce the risk of transmission.

People who have sex with multiple partners or partners of unknown HIV status should consider getting tested more frequently, such as every 3 to 6 months.

Taking antiretroviral medication will lower the risk of complications and help prevent HIV transmission. You must take PEP within 72 hours of possible exposure and continue taking it for 28 days. Reduce your chances of contracting or transmitting the virus by using a condom or other barrier method during sex. Antiretroviral medications are available to treat HIV. They help prevent transmission and lower the risk of complications from HIV. Medications are also available to reduce the chances that someone without HIV will contract the virus after exposure.

Jahlove is an HIV prevention advocate. He guides us through discussions with resources across the country who work to improve people's access to PrEP. Learn how to have a safe and healthy relationship with a partner who has HIV. Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV.

That means that once you have HIV, you have it for life. Learn more ways HIV is transmitted. Within a few weeks of getting HIV, some people get flu-like symptoms that last for a week or two, but others have no symptoms at all. After initial infection, people may not have any symptoms for years.