HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a terrible infection that often leads to AIDS. HIV attacks the human immune system and can damage it so badly that it is unable to work effectively. If left unchecked, HIV can seriously and permanently harm a person’s immune system. HIV can sometimes even lead to death.

HIV is quite common in gay or bisexual men. About 1 in 5 gay or bisexual men have HIV. Gay or bisexual men account for a large majority of HIV diagnoses as a whole, and over 80% of HIV diagnoses among males.

In short, if you’re a gay man then you’re much more likely to get HIV.

This is because gay or bisexual men often have anal sex with other men. Anal sex can cause anal fissures, which are basically cuts or tears to your anus which can get infected from ejaculation or other reasons.

There is no cure for HIV and the human body cannot get rid of it by itself. If you get infected with HIV then you will have HIV for the rest of your life. If HIV is not treated properly then it can develop into AIDS (which is also terrible).

HIV is ultimately quite uncommon among the U.S. population as a whole. Less than 1% of Americans have HIV. This is mainly because gay or bisexual men represent a small minority of the whole population.

Infections like HIV, AIDS, and HPV are much more likely to affect gay or bisexual men.

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