How HIV is Increasing Among Heterosexuals

It is a myth that AIDS is a gay disease. The fact is, worldwide, AIDS is spread most commonly through heterosexual contact.

Worldwide, 85% of new HIV infections are acquired heterosexually, with the greatest number in sub-Saharan Africa. In the United States, 31% of new infections are passed through heterosexual contact.*

In the United States, AIDS was first detected among a small group of homosexual men in Los Angeles in 1981. As the disease spread rapidly among gay metropolitan centers in the country, many Americans mistakenly thought that the risk of getting HIV was low for heterosexuals.

HIV does not discriminate. Anyone can get it if he or she is not careful.
The gap between gay and straight HIV cases is closing. (See chart.) In the 1980s, HIV was detected mainly in gay men. Today, however, straight men and women are increasingly getting HIV. In the U.S., 31% of all new HIV infections in 2004 were transmitted through heterosexual contact and 42% of the cases were through gay sex. It's important for everyone to get serious about safe sex.

Let's Talk About Safe Sex!
We know it can be awkward talking about safe sex with your partner. But it's important to take the initiative and be strong. Your partner may also respect you more because you're showing that you care about yourself and your future. Don't wait until the heat of the moment to bring up the topic. It's easier to discuss ways to have safer sex ahead of time so you'll both be clear. It might even get you in the mood!

Talk to your partner as if he/she were your best friend. "Above all, I respect you as a friend, and I don't want either of us to get HIV and other STDs. We've got to be safe and use condoms."
Suggest getting tested for HIV together. The experience may bring you closer emotionally. "I'll feel better if we know our HIV status before having sex. Let's get tested together."
Be prepared to state your concerns around HIV and/or pregnancy and don't back down. "I really want to be with you, but we haven't been tested yet. We've got to be safe and use condoms."
If you haven't used condoms in the past and want to start, try explaining that you need to do things differently. "I know we haven't used condoms in the past, but now I realize that was a mistake. We need to be smarter."

Sources:
* Thomas C. Quinn, M.D. The Hopkins HIV Report, May 2000.
* Harold Jaffe, M.D., "HIV/AIDS in America Today," National HIV Prevention Conference, 2003; Centers for Disease Control, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, Vol. 16, 2005. Similar chart was published on Kaiseredu.org.


Explore further:	How HIV is Increasing Among Heterosexuals It is a myth that AIDS is a gay disease. The fact is, worldwide, AIDS is spread most commonly through heterosexual contact. Worldwide, 85% of new HIV infections are acquired heterosexually, with the greatest number in sub-Saharan Africa. In the United States, 31% of new infections are passed through heterosexual contact.* In the United States, AIDS was first detected among a small group of homosexual men in Los Angeles in 1981. As the disease spread rapidly among gay metropolitan centers in the country, many Americans mistakenly thought that the risk of getting HIV was low for heterosexuals. HIV does not discriminate. Anyone can get it if he or she is not careful. The gap between gay and straight HIV cases is closing. (See chart.) In the 1980s, HIV was detected mainly in gay men. Today, however, straight men and women are increasingly getting HIV. In the U.S., 31% of all new HIV infections in 2004 were transmitted through heterosexual contact and 42% of the cases were through gay sex. It's important for everyone to get serious about safe sex. Let's Talk About Safe Sex! We know it can be awkward talking about safe sex with your partner. But it's important to take the initiative and be strong. Your partner may also respect you more because you're showing that you care about yourself and your future. Don't wait until the heat of the moment to bring up the topic. It's easier to discuss ways to have safer sex ahead of time so you'll both be clear. It might even get you in the mood! Talk to your partner as if he/she were your best friend. "Above all, I respect you as a friend, and I don't want either of us to get HIV and other STDs. We've got to be safe and use condoms." Suggest getting tested for HIV together. The experience may bring you closer emotionally. "I'll feel better if we know our HIV status before having sex. Let's get tested together." Be prepared to state your concerns around HIV and/or pregnancy and don't back down. "I really want to be with you, but we haven't been tested yet. We've got to be safe and use condoms." If you haven't used condoms in the past and want to start, try explaining that you need to do things differently. "I know we haven't used condoms in the past, but now I realize that was a mistake. We need to be smarter." Sources: * Thomas C. Quinn, M.D. The Hopkins HIV Report, May 2000. * Harold Jaffe, M.D., "HIV/AIDS in America Today," National HIV Prevention Conference, 2003; Centers for Disease Control, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, Vol. 16, 2005. Similar chart was published on Kaiseredu.org.