HIV advice for gay men

We've all heard the myths! If you're gay men you're bound to become HIV-positive. Right? Wrong! Just because you are gay does not mean you will become HIV-positive. But it is true that the virus does affect gay men more than the general population. In the UK today the vast majority of transmissions come from men who don't know they have the virus. Hence why testing is so important.

If you are an HIV-negative gay man living in a modern world you should know that there's more to HIV prevention. So here at LGBT HERO we have a list of all the ways you can prevent HIV.

Condoms

Using condoms while having sex is still one of the best ways to avoid picking up any STIs, becoming HIV-positive or passing on HIV. Make sure you use plenty of water-based lube too. Stay away from Vaseline, baby oil and spit – they will make the condom rip.

For more information about condoms and lube, visit www.lgbthero.org.uk/condoms-and-lube.

WATCH: Me. Him. Us - condoms

Testing

All sexually active gay men should test for STIs at least once a year. If you are having sex with new partners then you should test more frequently. Test for HIV too when you’re there. It takes about two weeks for most STIs and four weeks for HIV to show up in a test.

To find your nearest GUM clinic, visit www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health/find-a-sexual-health-clinic

WATCH: HIV testing

Treatment (U=U)

If you are diagnosed with HIV you will be put on treatment that will contain the virus in the body. Within a few short months the virus should become undetectable (U=U), this means, once undetectable you cannot pass on the virus to others through sex. However using condoms will further reduce the risk of passing on STIs.

For more information on HIV, being diagnosed and support services for men living with HIV, visit www.lgbthero.org.uk/pages/category/living-with-hiv.

WATCH: What you need to know about HIV-undetectable and viral load

PrEP

PrEP means Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and it’s the use of anti-HIV medication to keep HIV-negative people from becoming infected. PrEP has been shown to be safe and effective. A single pill taken once daily, it is highly effective against HIV. The medication interferes with HIV’s ability to copy itself in your body after you’ve been exposed. This prevents it from establishing an infection and stops you becoming HIV-positive.

PrEP is free on the NHS. Contact your local GUM clinic and ask them about PrEP >> www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health/find-a-sexual-health-clinic

You can also source your own PrEP. You can find information about where to buy generic PrEP by visiting www.iwantprepnow.co.uk.

WATCH: PrEP

PEP

PEP is a month-long course of HIV medication that can stop you becoming HIV-positive if started within 72 hours after sex (the sooner you start taking it the better). If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, contact your local GUM clinic or go to an A&E.

For more info on PEP, visit www.lgbthero.org.uk/pep.

WATCH: What is PEP?

Education

Knowing how HIV and STIs are transmitted is important. One way to stop HIV and STIs is to keep up to date with the latest news and information about HIV, STIs and safer sex.

For more information, visit https://www.lgbthero.org.uk/Pages/Category/hiv and https://www.lgbthero.org.uk/Pages/Category/stis

Mental health

No matter what advice we give you about how to stop HIV and STIs, if your emotional health is not good you may find it harder to care about protecting your sexual health. So if you are feeling down, experiencing low self-esteem or have symptoms of depression then it’s best to talk to a professional who can help you get back on track.

For more information on how to look after your mental health, or to find support services, visit www.nhs.uk/mentalhealth.

READ SOME MORE:

READ: What you need to know about STIs

Latest

LGBT HERO Queer History walk - 11/05/2024

Join us on the 11th of May for the Queer History Walk as we explore the vast and complex history of LGBTQ+ life in London
Film Discussion: Swan Song - Tue 28th May (7 - 8.30pm)

50+ HangOuts is a friendly and welcoming, twice monthly online social and support group for older LGBTQ+ people. We meet on Zoom, the 2nd and last Tuesday of the month, 7pm - 8.30pm.
Let's discuss 'Growing Old (dis)Gracefully' - Tue 14th May (7 - 8.30pm)

50+ HangOuts is a friendly and welcoming, twice monthly online social and support group for older LGBTQ+ people. We meet on Zoom, the 2nd and last Tuesday of the month, 7pm - 8.30pm.
Film Discussion: Beautiful Thing - Sat 18th May (11am - 12.30pm)

LGBTQ+ HangOuts is a friendly and welcoming, twice monthly online social and support group for LGBTQ+ people. We meet on Zoom, the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 11am - 12.30pm.

I’ve found out I’m HIV-positive. What do I do now?

I have been living with HIV for more than ten years and you might say I am a bit of an HIV old-timer.
A guide to home testing

Cuts to sexual health services over the last few years have made it more difficult for people to get seen in a clinic for a check-up, but for many of us, regular testing is now a lot easier with free at home sample kits.
Notifying my partners

For some people, the best way to tell their recent sexual partners that they have tested positive for HIV is by doing so face-to-face or over the phone.
Unprotected sex

There are other ways of reducing the risk of HIV being passed on if you don't use condoms; some of them are more effective than others.
Symptoms of recent HIV infection

Most people experience some symptoms shortly after infection with HIV.
How is HIV transmitted?

HIV is usually transmitted sexually, although it can also be spread by sharing needles or from mother to child.
Is he likely to be HIV-positive?

In most cases, when gay men have sex with someone new they will not know their partner's HIV status.
HIV and STI self-testing

Home testing is a way for you to test for HIV and STIs from the comfort of your own home. Most are self-sampling, which you return the products and get your results within a couple of days. Others offer 15 mins results.
Finding my tribe

Going public with my HIV diagnosis, I expected to lose everyone, but the reality couldn’t have been more different.
Getting tested: How scary is it? (not very)

Contributor Hadley Stewart, explains that how his own experiences at GUM clinics haven’t been scary at all.

Being non-binary

What does it mean to be non-binary?
HIV advice for gay men

We've all heard the myths! If you're gay men you're bound to become HIV-positive. Right? Wrong!
Mpox (monkeypox) and what you need to know

What is mpox (monkeypox)? What are the symptoms? Can I get the vaccine? Your questions answered.
"The Gay Community is Racist"

The question is: are we really that shocked to learn that Britain’s gay scene is so racist?
Transgender: Back to Basics

Let's get back to basics. Want to know the difference between gender identity and gender expression? Get confused between sex and gender? This page is for you!
How risky is having sex without condoms?

Most gay and bisexual men who have HIV caught it from having penetrative sex without a condom.
Safe Sex and STIs - a guide for lesbians

Think lesbians aren't at risk of STIs? Think again.
What is asexuality?

Understanding asexuality and dispelling the myths and misconceptions about it.
What are romantic orientations?

Our crash course on romantic orientations.
A modern guy's guide to cruising

Perhaps surprisingly, the proud tradition of cruising is still going strong. Wherever you are in the UK, you’re not going to be too far from a spot where you’ll easily find other men who want to hook up with men. There are plenty of apps and websites dedicated to helping you out if you want to have sex in a public place.