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by shaki-dora 2600 days ago
In a Bayesian framework, a person telling you they are HIV+ would seem to serve to establish some trust. Why admit to to that, but then lie about viral load?

On a more practical level, I would probably go on PreP if I regularly had hookups with men. I’m actually somewhat envious of the gay scene in that regard. The option just doesn’t meaningfully exist at the mostly-hetero sex parties I’ve been at.
3 comments
arcticfox 2599 days ago
> Why admit to to that, but then lie about viral load?

I mean I'd worry that they were being honest, but mistaken. I'd have to do a lot of research on the efficacy and frequency of testing beforehand (e.g. it's possible that it might be calibrated to be frequent enough to provide proper care for the patient, but not to guarantee to protect partners).

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mdhen 2598 days ago
Your worries are misplaced. Three drugs are what keep them undetectable. And once you are there for a period of time (3 months to be safe) you stay that way forever as long as you take your medication as prescribed. Once they are at that point they will be getting blood tests every 6 months.

So really you need to be trusting that they are responsible enough to take their drugs every day. These days that is pretty easy, most people take 1 pill in the morning and that's it.

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peterwwillis 2599 days ago
What option doesn't exist? You can take PreP regardless of what kind of sex party you go to.
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shaki-dora 2599 days ago
I was hinting at the answer: it’s not a known concept, so your (potential) partners will tend not to trust it. Plus I would prefer both to be on it.
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peterwwillis 2599 days ago
But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. PreP needs to be taken religiously to be effective, or it can lead to increased exposure by people who take it irregularly. So it's mostly only offered to high-risk populations that would have an incentive to take it properly, and afaik, straight white cishet people aren't such a population.

The fact that people don't trust it means nobody's casually taking it or taking for granted that other people are taking it. So it increases awareness of the potential for contracting HIV and underlines the need for protection. At the same time, you can independently choose to take it and provide yourself more protection. So I think it all balances out.

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jliptzin 2599 days ago
Why can’t you go on prep?
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