Is AIDS Caused By Anal Intercourse?

Is AIDS Caused By Anal Intercourse?

Having taught human sexuality courses, now for over 20 years, not a lot shocks me.
But this shocks me: One out of every three adult Americans believes anal intercourse causes AIDS.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Either you, or one of two of your friends, believe this statement is true:
A person can get AIDS from having anal (that is, rectal) intercourse, even if neither partner is infected with the virus that causes AIDS.

Looks like it is time for a basic lesson about infectious diseases.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS has one cause; it is caused by a virus named the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV.

If a person does not have HIV and their partner does not have HIV, then neither partner will get AIDS from engaging in any sexual behavior with one another. It does not matter if the sexual behavior is kissing; or oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex, or even hanging from the ceiling with one another.

One version of “safe” sex?

What is most shocking to me, is a false stereotype left over from the 1980s, about anal sex causing AIDS, continues to misinform our sexual knowledge.

What is not shocking to me, is the need for honest and objective discussions about human sexuality, is more necessary than ever, to fight stereotypes about sexually transmitted infections, STIs.

For example, did you know, medically testing to determine whether a person has an STI is relatively simple and often free.

Did you know, people between the ages of 15 and 24 account for the majority of all new STIs. And, due to a lack of objective sexual knowledge across the lifespan, one of the fastest growing populations being diagnosed with STIs are senior citizens.

Did you know, Worldwide, some of the most common STIs are: genital herpes (500 million), human papilloma virus (HPV, 290 million), trichomoniasis (143 million), chlamydia (131 million), gonorrhea (78 million), HIV (38 million), and syphilis (6 million).

Did you know, there are vaccines or treatments for all the STIs, and many STIs are curable. For example, herpes, although not curable, can be treated with antiviral drugs. HPV is preventable with a vaccine. Trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea are curable with antibiotics. Scabies and public lice/crabs can be killed with prescription body washes or shampoos. Syphilis is curable with penicillin during the primary, secondary, and latent stages. And anti-retroviral therapy for HIV can extend life expectancy to be compatible with persons not HIV infected.

Did you know, because of guilt, fear, shame, or misinformation, many people with STIs go untreated. This can have dire health consequences. For example, undiagnosed STIs, cause more than 24,000 females to become infertile every year in the US. And, 1 out of every 6 cases of HIV are undiagnosed; if untreated, HIV turns into AIDS. Worldwide, AIDS kills three quarters of a million people every year.

Did you know, the Centers for Disease Control recently reported the highest rates ever of the STIs chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The main reason the CDC gives for these unprecedented rates is a lack of comprehensive, science-based sex education.

Did you know, if a person is infected with an STI, the probability of transmitting the infection to their partner is dependent upon their sexual behaviors. The probability is lowest with kissing — and highest with anal sex because the tissue lining of the rectum is relatively thin and without proper lubrication, is apt to tear.

And last, but not least, did you know, for those of you merely hanging from the ceilings with your partners, the probability of transmitting an STI is zero!

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018). Estimated HIV Incidence and Prevalence in the United States, 2010–2015. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report. 2018.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018). New CDC Analysis Shows Steep and Sustained Increases in STDs in Recent Years. Press Release (August 28, 2018). https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/20...

Forster, K. (December 8, 2016). STIs in people aged 50 to 70 have risen by more than a third over the last decade. Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-sty....

Lucas, D. R., Fox, J., Kelley, K., Goguen, D., Matthews, T., Cefre, K., & Faulk, E. (2019). Dispelling sexual myths with higher and virtual education. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southwestern Psychological Association, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

World Health Organization (2019). Sexually Transmitted Infections. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sh...)

For a complete transcript of this video with references, check out:   / does-anal-sex-cause-aids