The Advocate Feb 2009 Iss. 1023
"The Next Condom Conundrum" by Steve Weinstein
A nascent practice among pay men around the country in an effort to prevent HIV contraction is a method know as Pre Exposure Prophlaxis or PrEP. The practice involves gay men taking HIV medication such as Tenofovir, a.k.a. Virad, before intercourse to protect against HIV. The genesis of PrEP emerged from observations of Post Exposure Phophalaxis (PEP) drug regiments. Individuals that obtain Tenofovir often acquire it from friends, partners, or drug dealers. Since antiretroviral drugs aren't controlled substances, they can be readily obtained from people with possession of those drugs. Often at circuit parties Tenofovir is sold in conjunction with other drugs in a combo known as "MTV" or Meth, Tenofovir & Viagra. Upon rare cases, physicians that observe HIV negative patients exhibiting high risk behavior will prescribe antiretoviral drugs but only as a last resort measure and not as an alternative to counseling.
Despite the availability of Tenofovir, PrEP has not been proven to be an effective HIV prevention method. Studies of PrEP in major metropolitan areas is limited and inconsistent. However the medical community is investigating the validity of PrEP drug regiments to determine its success and/or effectiveness. Preliminary research has yielded promising results but the investigations are ongoing. If PrEP techniques prove to assist in HIV prevention, physicians believe it should be used in conjunction with condoms and not as a stand alone method. Doctors don't want to be perceived as condoning bareback sex by approving PrEP techniques. PrEP appears to be another favorable tool usable to combat HIV contraction but medical experts concede it should not replace condom use, addressing at risk personal behavior, or informing oneself on established HIV prevention techniques.
So what do you think?
Essay submitted by Cesar Romero, The Village Core Group active member
2/25/09
The Next Condom Conundrum
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3 comments:
I think we should be mindful that misusing antiviral meds can lead to mutations and resistance in strains of the HIV virus. There are a LIMITED number of antiviral medications out there to treat HIV. Irregular adherence to medication or casual use gives HIV the opportunity to become familiar with the antiviral. Once the HIV virus is familiar with drug, it can change its “structure” so that it is no longer inhibited, making the medication ineffective.
Safe sex burnout is a very real phenomenon among our community – it makes sense that some of us might look for alternatives to latex and lube. We should be cautious when looking to Phophalaxis as a way to have sex without wrapping “it” up. It’s possible that we’re actually putting ourselves and our partners in a VERY risky situation.
What I'm angry about is some of our gay brothers still uses the "shortcut" way of prevention. We know at this time that rubbers are the only known prevention for HIV/AIDS. I like this essay and it is very informative. I don't read a lot of magazines but I do surf a lot online.
If people are experiencing safe sex burnout, then the only reasonable alternative is to be in a committed long term relationship. Be together a while, get tested, and then have at it. Other than this, we live in a world where you simply have to use a rubber, end of story. This needs to be especially enforced with the youth and people just coming out. It's easier to start safe and stay safe.
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