HIV rates are increasing in Queensland and this is not restricted to Brisbane. In Cairns more than one person is being diagnosed with HIV every fortnight. This is a 50% increase on the infection rate for 2006. This is a significant increase on past years and it’s something to be concerned about. You could have HIV and not know it and you could potentially be passing it on to your sexual partners.

How come it's going up in Cairns?

It’s not just Cairns! Overall Queensland experienced a 17% increase in HIV rates last year (2007). Many of these diagnoses are outside the south east corner. Distance does not save you from getting infected; neither does testing by itself. An HIV test will only tell you if you have been infected up to the time you got tested. Insisting on using condoms and expecting others to do so is the only way you can protect yourself against HIV

But can’t you tell if someone has HIV?

In most cases, when gay men have sex with someone new they will not know the HIV status of their partner. Most estimates suggest that about 1 in 10 gay men in Cairns have been infected with HIV. 1 in 5 (20%) of these men have not been diagnosed and so probably do not know that they are HIV positive. There are HIV positive men in every part of Queensland and there are HIV positive men of every age and nationality.

There are men on the extreme sex circuit who are HIV negative, just as there are HIV positive young guys dancing to Kylie at Sapphire on a Saturday night. Because of advances in treatment, it is becoming increasingly rare that someone shows visible signs of HIV infection. The majority of men in Cairns living with HIV will be healthy and look well, with no visible symptoms. You will not be able to tell by looking at them. It's easy to think that only a certain ‘type’ of gay man is likely to have HIV but this is not true.

How do I know if I have it?

You may have HIV and not know it. But, you can still pass it on to others and if untreated it can progress to AIDS.

You might have a seroconversion illness which feels like a bad flu, or other symptoms. Not all people have these symptoms and only 33% of people recently infected with HIV in Cairns had this seroconversion illness.The only way to know if you have HIV is to test for it with a blood test.

Test? ...what test?

A blood test is used to detect if you have antibodies for HIV. If you think you might have been exposed to HIV through a sexual encounter ask your doctor to check for other STI’s as well because many of these are easier to get than HIV.

Where can I get an HIV test?

You can get an anti-body test for HIV and other STI’s from your local doctor, at the Dolls House (Cairns Sexual HealthClinic), or at some of the sites listed below. There is no need to feel embarrassed about going for an HIV or STI check. The staff in the clinics are trained professionals and they are expected to treat you with sensitivity and respect. Services are confidential, but if you still want to use a false name you can do so.

Is there a cure?

No

HIV can not be cured. Once detected, HIV can be treated and managed, but it never goes away. An undetectable viral load does not mean no HIV, it means there is not enough HIV present to test for in the blood. HIV can still be passed on by someone with an undetectable viral load through semen and pre-cum.

How can I protect myself?

• Using a latex condom for anal sex (fucking) and oral sex (sucking) will provide protection against contact with HIV.

• Given few people consistently use condoms for oral sex; regular testing should be a part of everyone’s HIV prevention plan if you are having oral or anal sex.

• If you have a slip-up and come into contact with HIV you can get Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). These can be effective in many people for reducing the risk of HIV infecting you. It must be prescribed by a doctor and taken within 72 hours of the exposure.

HIV Alert

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