You are on page 1of 10

If you think...

you might have just


been exposed to HIV,
there is a treatment
that might help reduce
your chances of
getting infected. It’s
called post-exposure
prevention (PEP).
Call 415-487-5538
for info.

Reading This Might


For More Information On This Booklet
Call 415-355-2000
Save Your Ass
2006/2007 Edition
Health Care
Do You Have a Health
Care Provider?
It’s a good idea to see your
health care provider regularly. If
Dear Friends,
you’re over 40, you should go at
Men's sexual health is a very important issue here in San least once a year. If you’re HIV+,
Francisco. We have put together this brief guide to help you you should see your provider on a
stay healthy, stay safe and have fun. regular schedule, preferably every 3
We urge you to read, use and share this important months. Talk about diet, exercise,
information with others and to help take care of our community. smoking and cancer prevention.
In addition to HIV/AIDS, heart
San Francisco values everyone's choices. disease and cancer are the number
one and two concerns for men
Sex can and should be fun and safe for all! over 40.

Sincerely,
If you are sexually active, it’s
important to get tested for STDs.
If you have new partners, get an
Jeffrey Klausner M.D., M.P.H. Tracey Packer STD check every 3 months and
Director Interim Director
an HIV test every 6 months.
STD Prevention and Control HIV Prevention
Services

l
City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Health
R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S 1
Good Provider SF Public
Checklist Health Clinics
o Is your health care provider open SF CITY CLINIC (STD CLINIC)
to questions? 356 7th St. • 415-487-5500
o Does your provider take a medical Online STD testing at
history, including a sexual history? www.stdtest.org
o Do you trust your provider?
o Does your provider seem comfortable
COLE STREET YOUTH CLINIC
555 Cole St. • 415-751-818 1
discussing sensitive issues like sex and
drug use? HAIGHT ASHBURY FREE
o Does your provider explain the MEDICAL CLINIC
available choices for treatment (or 558 Clayton St. • 415-487-5632
non-treatment) of an STD? MISSION NEIGHBORHOOD
Coming Out To HEALTH CENTER
Your Provider 240 Shotwell St. • 415-552-3870

o There are benefits to being open about


TOM WADDELL CLINIC
your sexuality with your provider. S/he
50 Ivy St. • 554-2940
can give you better advice and support
you in your health care choices. Magnet
Think about the benefits.
o You may also decide that you want a 4122 18th Street • 415-581-1600
provider who is gay (or gay friendly). Magnet is a center for Gay Men’s
The Gay and Lesbian Medical
Health and can provide valuable
Association (GLMA) has a list of gay
providers in the Bay Area and can be information, as well as STD and HIV
reached at 415-255-4547, or at testing. www.magnetsf.org
www.glma.org.

l
2 R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S
l
3
One of the great things about
being alive is having sex. But like Sucking
many things in life, there are other
aspects to consider.
If you are sexually active, There has been a lot of confusion
get tested for STDs every 3 about how safe sucking dick is. It’s
months. Get tested whether or not really difficult to say exactly how safe
you have any symptoms so you it is for HIV, but research shows
can detect any possible “silent” that it’s very, very low risk. We can’t
infections. say that it is 100% safe, but we
know the risk is very low.
While sucking dick may be safe
Fucking for HIV, there is still some risk of
getting one of many STDs, including
gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis,
Fucking without a condom is the hepatitis, parasites, and herpes.
easiest way to spread HIV. Play it
smart. Hopefully the people you
have sex with will be honest and Spit or Swallow?
will know their HIV status … but
they might not know or they might
not want to tell you. Not getting cum in your mouth
Aside from HIV, you can also get should reduce your risk of getting an
many STDs, including gonorrhea, infection. If you do take a load, it
chlamydia, syphilis, hepatitis, warts, probably doesn’t matter if you spit it
parasites and herpes. out or if you swallow.

l
4 R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S
l5
damage can easily occur and go unno-
Rimming ticed. Avoid too much alcohol or drugs
if you fist or get fisted. Any damage to
The risk for transmitting HIV from the rectum can increase the risk of
rimming is very low. But rimming can HIV when you get fucked, so you
be a high risk for transmission of STDs might want to fuck before you get fist-
with someone infected with hepatitis ed. To be extra safe, it’s a good idea to
A, herpes, shigella and intestinal wear a rubber glove and remember to
parasites. Getting vaccinated against use lots of lube.
Hepatitis A can help reduce your risk.
Sharing Toys
Watersports Sharing toys can be fun and they
are easy to keep clean. A good idea is
There is little risk of STD infection to put condoms on your toys, replace
and no risk of HIV infection from the condom between each user, and
playing with urine. It is possible that use lots of lube. There is some risk of
Hepatitis A can be spread that way so hepatitis, herpes, warts, and parasites
avoid getting urine in your mouth. if the toys have been shared with
Getting vaccinated to prevent another person.
Hepatitis A can reduce your risk.

Fisting Mutual Jerking Off


The greatest risk here is getting
There is some risk of not only STD caught, if you do it in public. Getting
infections from fisting, but also cum on you won’t transmit HIV or STDs
hepatitis C. Since the blood vessels in

l l7
– that can happen only if the cum
the rectum are close to the surface, gets inside of you.

6 R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S
Counseling
When you need someone to talk AIDS HEALTH
to, sometimes it is helpful to talk with
PROJECT/REACH
someone other than friends or family.
Consider finding a counselor or men- 415-476-3902
tal health professional.
SAN FRANCISCO
In private sessions, you can have
a chance to discuss how healthy sex SEX INFO LINE
fits into your life, how to have fulfill- 415-989-7374
ing relationships, or how to feel good
about your body.
Also, these professionals can work In A Crisis
with you on emotional challenges and
developmental issues, such as coming
out, depression, grief, anger, stress, HIV/AIDS NIGHTLINE
and relationship issues.
415-434-2437
SF SUICIDE PREVENTION
Useful Mental 415-781-0500
Health Numbers
LYRIC TALKLINE
(Don’t be discouraged if there’s a (YOUTH)
waiting list. Some of these
programs are very popular.)
415-863-3636

l
8 R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S
l9
Drinking and you’re using. Repeated use can cause to cut back on the amount of drugs
Drugging permanent damage to the brain and that you use in order to avoid an
the comedown (“crash”) can leave you overdose. Using poppers with
If you party, party in modera- severely depressed for many days. For drugs for impotency may drop your
tion. It is easier to do things outside more information on crystal metham- blood pressure and cause strokes or
of your comfort zone when you’ve phetamine, check out heart attacks.
had too much to drink or you’re high www.tweaker.org.
on drugs. You are also doing some If you or a friend needs help, it is
Alcohol
potential damage to your immune Alcohol is the most commonly
available. If you want to stop using
system and your health in general. used and abused drug. Since drinking
crystal meth, call to find out about
If your routine becomes unman- alcohol is legal and socially
the Positive Reinforcement
ageable, you might want to consider acceptable, it’s hard to avoid. In fact,
Opportunity Project (PROP) at
discussing your drug use with your gay bars are one of the main places
415-740-6273 or visit
healthcare providers or contact one where men can meet each other. In
www.PROPSF.org.
of the agencies listed below. small doses, alcohol is safe as long as
DRUG LINE • 415-362-3400 Poppers (amyl nitrates) you keep your wits about you. It’s very
(24/7 DRUG CRISIS LINE) While poppers can increase the easy to forget to use a condom when
NEW LEAF • 415-626-7000 power of an orgasm and for some you’ve been drinking. Heavy drinking
STONEWALL PROJECT • 415-502-1999
men make it easier to take it up the can cause permanent damage to your
Crystal Methamphetamine ass, scientists have shown that brain, heart, and your liver.
Crystal is also commonly poppers can depress the immune
system and make it easier to get HIV.
Marijuana
referred to as Speed, Tina, Ice and After alcohol, marijuana is the
Meth. Crystal use and abuse is If you use poppers, get frequent HIV
most commonly used drug. Though it
still very much a part of the gay and STD checks.
does have many medicinal uses,
community. Its use is directly tied to You should know that HIV med-
especially for people living with
increases in STD and HIV infections. ications can pump up the potency of
HIV/AIDS, it’s hard to think straight
It can be hard to make good many drugs, including Viagra. If you
when you’re high. When you smoke

l l
decisions about personal risk while take HIV medications you might want
marijuana, you may be less inhibited

10 R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S 11
and have more risky sex. If you use behavior and can be very addictive.
marijuana, make it a point not to for- When snorted or injected, cocaine Making Your
get to use a condom or take your HIV can seriously damage the heart or Dick Work For You
medications on schedule. cause a stroke, both of which are
GHB
potentially fatal. Getting the Most Out of Sex
Let’s face it: sex is about pleasure.
In fairly small doses, GHB is Ketamine–K
Think about ways of creating pleasure
relatively safe but it’s very hard to There’s a fine line between how
(or even increasing it!) while decreas-
determine how much is too much much ketamine will get you high and
ing the risks.
without putting yourself at risk for an what will send you over the edge.
overdose. In addition, GHB should Take too much and you won’t be able Starting Out
never be taken when you are drinking to function, sexually or otherwise. Before you go out, decide in
alcohol. The combination of the two advance what’s OK and what’s not OK
drugs may cause you to stop
Heroin
for you sexually. Pack the gear that
Heroin is not frequently used
breathing permanently. you’ll need to keep you and your
during sex because it often makes
partners safe and healthy.
Ecstasy—X the user sleepy and it is difficult to
Have some key phrases that you
Chemically, ecstasy is very much cum when you’re high on it. Heroin
can use to communicate to your part-
like methamphetamine. Like speed, is extremely addictive and fatal
ner what you are willing and not will-
it has many of the same risks of overdoses are not unusual. It’s
ing to do. Communicate with your
causing brain damage when used often difficult to know how much is
partner about what you both can do
too frequently and it causes the too much until it’s too late.
to lower any risk.
same crash when you come down
Make decisions on what risks are
off the drug. It definitely lowers HIV medications can pump up the acceptable and what risks are not,
inhibitions and puts you at risk for potency of many of these drugs. If
you take HIV medications you might then STICK TO YOUR GUNS!
unsafe sexual behaviors.
want to cut back on the amount of
Cocaine drugs that you use in order to avoid
Gear
You might want to try different

l l
Cocaine also leads to risky sexual an overdose.
types of condoms and lube to find the

12 R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S 13
best fit for you. There are many
kinds of condoms out there, so What To Know
experiment to find the ones you About STDs
think feel best. Then, make sure
you keep condoms around, pull HIV ulcers, usually around the dick, butt
them out and have them ready HIV is the virus that causes and mouth. Herpes is transmitted
before the action starts. It’s easier AIDS. Getting fucked without a con- by skin-to-skin contact, so avoid the
to talk about condoms when they dom is the most common way to get area of an outbreak in a partner
are right in front of you. HIV. Both tops and bottoms can get who has herpes. It often becomes
it. Using a condom and lots of lubri- chronic and most people experience
Checking Your Gear cation is the best defense. There is a few outbreaks a year. Condoms
You might have to slow things no cure, but there are a number of can reduce but not eliminate risk.
down for a few seconds to check treatments which have improved the There is no cure, but medications
your gear, but check from time to health of people living with HIV/AIDS, can help speed healing time, reduce
time during sex to make sure the although they do not work for every- the frequency of outbreaks, and pre-
condom did not break. And remem- one, nor can everyone tolerate the vent the spread of herpes.
ber, LUBE, LUBE, LUBE. side effects.
Don’t forget, you are half of the Warts
party. Don’t depend on your part- Certain viruses cause warts so
STDs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia,
ner to provide protection or good herpes and syphilis increase your risk of small you can’t see them; others
judgement in all sexual situations. getting HIV and if you are HIV positive, it are visible and painless, and
can also increase your viral load.. Getting appear on the dick, butt or mouth.
You must be responsible for your
frequently screened and treated for STDs They are transmitted through skin-
own protection. can reduce the risk of HIV.
to-skin contact and are very com-
Herpes mon. Using condoms reduces but
Herpes is a very common viral does not eliminate the risk. They can
infection that causes itching, tin- be treated by freezing with liquid

l l
gling, redness, pain, blisters, and nitrogen, using chemicals, or surgery.

14 R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S 15
Hepatitis Chlamydia blindness, and death. For free testing
STD Check List Hepatitis A, B and C are liver Chlamydia is caused by a go to www.STDtest.org
infections caused by different viruses. bacterial infection in the dick, butt, Parasites
Symptoms may include fatigue, poor or throat. You may or may not have
o THROAT SWAB FOR appetite, fever, nausea, vomiting, symptoms, which include burning
Parasites, such as giardia and
GONORRHEA AND CHLAMYDIA amoeba, can cause upset stomach
and jaundice (yellowing of the skin when peeing, a clear or white drip and diarrhea with bleeding. They can
o URINE TEST FOR and eyeballs), and are potentially from the dick or butt, or pain. It is be treated with antibiotics. Exposure
GONORRHEA AND CHLAMYDIA very serious. Hepatitis can be curable with antibiotics. Condoms to shit through rimming and drink-
o RECTAL SWAB FOR
transmitted sexually. and frequent testing can reduce ing contaminated water are the most
There are effective vaccines for the risk. common ways they’re transmitted.
GONORRHEA AND CHLAMYDIA
Hep A and B but not for Hep C. To
o BLOOD TEST FOR SYPHILIS reduce risk, get vaccinated against
Syphilis Shigella
o ORAL OR BLOOD TEST FOR HIV
Syphilis has become more com- Shigella is caused by a bacterial
Hep A and B.
mon in the gay and bi community. It
o GENITAL, ORAL AND SKIN
infection and can be treated with
Gonorrhea can cause a painless sore on the dick antibiotics. Its symptoms include
EXAMINATION BY A MEDICAL Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection or in the mouth or butt, which goes stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea
CARE PROVIDER that may or may not cause symp- away and later becomes a body rash, and fever. If someone has shigella,
o BLOOD TEST FOR HERPES TYPE-2 toms: a sore throat, pain during often on the palms and soles. the bacteria is present in shit,
bowel movements, burning when Syphilis is transmitted through direct and you can get it even if he looks
Have you been tested lately? urinating, or thick discharge (pus) sexual contact with the sore or rash. clean, so wash with soap and water
It is recommended that you get from the dick or butt. Condoms can help reduce but before, during and after all sex
an HIV antibody test every 6 months You may also carry it and not know not eliminate the risk. Syphillis is and “ass play.”
if you are HIV negative and engaging it. The bacteria can be passed by oral treatable with antibiotics. An easy
in ANY type of sexual risk behavior. If and anal sex. Condoms can help blood test can tell if you’re infect-
reduce the risk. It is easily curable ed. Getting frequent check-ups by a
Special thanks to
you need more information, call Photography: Duane Cramer
(415) 502-TEST or log on to the web with antibiotics. Frequent screening doctor will reduce the risk of develop- Design: Ben Synstelien
site: www.aidshotline.org by your doctor can detect silent infec- ing the complications of syphilis: Edited by: Aaron J. Cohen

l l
tions that you may be unaware of. paralysis, damage to blood vessels,

16 R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S R E A D I N G T H I S M I G H T S A V E Y O U R A S S 17

You might also like