Ready to bust some myths around HIV and STDs? Then read below as we bust some common myths you may have heard from strangers, friends, your high school health teacher or on the bathroom wall.
Myth – I can get HIV through cum in my eye.
Fact – Yes, facials of both varieties can be fun. However, cum in the eye isn’t too cool. It stings like a mofo (not that we speak from personal experience). But when it comes to HIV risk, cum in the eye is not an efficient or easy way to transmit the virus. Essentially, the mucus membrane in your eye is thicker than you think, and the type of membrane isn’t very hospitable to HIV (unlike the membrane in the back of your throat or rectum). Look at it this way, if people could easily get HIV from cum in the eye, there would be a lot more people walking around with HIV.
Myth – It doesn’t matter whether I spit or swallow.
Fact – Actually it does make a difference. If you’re having oral sex without a condom, try to avoid having your partner cum in your mouth. It’s the best way to reduce risk. However, if you do happen to get some in your mouth, it’s best to spit it out. Why? Because the back of your throat has tiny mucous membranes which provide an easy opening for HIV into the body. If you’re swallowing someone’s load, there’s a chance you can get infected through these mucous membranes. Also, be careful because while it’s harder to get HIV through oral sex, it is much easier to get an STD like syphilis or gonorrhea. So if you’re a fan of oral (and who isn’t), it’s best to get checked for STDs every 3-6 months too.
Myth – I’m HIV-positive and my viral load is undetectable, so I can’t transmit HIV.
Fact – While this myth is based in some truth, it’s also dangerous. If you are on HIV medication, the goal is to get your viral load (the amount of virus in your body) to an undetectable level. This is measured through lab testing you get every few months at your doctor’s office. If your viral load is undetectable, that is awesome news. It means you are keeping yourself as healthy as possible and it does lower your risk of transmitting HIV. However, and repeat after us boys, it doesn’t eliminate it.
Why? There are a couple reasons. First off, the viral load test, which shows how much virus there is, doesn’t measure viral load below a certain point. In plain English, this means there is still HIV virus in the body (you never get rid of it), but that it’s below a level we can detect through standard lab testing. Secondly, this test looks for the presence of viral load in your blood and not your semen. Just because your blood viral load is undetectable doesn’t mean your seminal viral load is the same. Third, people go through what we call viral blips. Did you get a cold? Have a stressful week at work? There’s a good chance your viral load went up during these periods. That’s why we call them blips. So you’re viral load may not truly be undetectable all the time.
So what does all this mean? If you are HIV+ positive and undetectable, congratulations! You’ve lowered your risk of transmitting HIV but you haven’t eliminated it. You can still easily transmit HIV. People do get infected with HIV even when their HIV+ partner is undetectable. Condoms, lube and communicating openly with your partner about risks are still the best ways to protect yourself and others.
Myth – I won’t be able to get health insurance If I test confidentially (give you my name) and get an HIV + test result at Pivot because HIV is a reportable disease in Oregon.
Fact - The Short Answer: NO. Testing positive for HIV in Oregon is not going to keep you from getting insurance or the health care that you need. When you apply for health insurance they do ask about HIV status. However, Oregon law states that HIV cannot be considered a pre-existing condition and that insurance policies must cover HIV/AIDS, unless the company only gives coverage for specific diseases. If you test HIV + and are having trouble getting insurance for any reason, you have plenty of options, best explained by Cascade AIDS Project’s intake line at 503-517-3590.
How It Plays Out: In every HIV testing session at Pivot you’ll be given the option of testing confidentially or anonymously (cause we’re all about your right to choose). Confidentially means we take your name, phone number and address. This is sweet because you can receive (upon request) a printed copy of your results with your name to show your next bedroom buddy (or frame it, or whatever). Testing anonymously means we don’t take your name or any contact information. You can call yourself Mickey Mouse for all we care, we’re not writing it down. You get the result verbally, but not printed. Why the difference? If you do test positive, to receive HIV medical care or support services, you’re going to need to have at least one test with your name on it.
Still Curious? So what happens if you test confidentially and get an HIV+ test? Who finds out? The information is sent to the Oregon Department of Human Services and kept in a confidential, secure database. The main reason is to ensure the state has correct statistics on the number of people infected. If Bob Smith tests positive at Pivot and then goes and gets another test at an emergency room, this database helps us realize that these aren’t two new people infected with HIV but just one. [don’t they also contact the person to ensure they are hooked into medical care?]
Can the state share this information with anyone? NO. Like any protected health information, they legally need your permission to share it with someone else (yup, even your wife).
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Open Hours:
Wed 3 - 9pm
Thu 3 - 9pm
Fri 3 - 9pm
Sat 3 - 9pm
209 SW 4th Ave, Downtown Portland
503.445.7699
pivot@pivotpdx.org
