pre-exposure prophylaxis

[puntingking]

Can taking prep (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication be a good idea to avoid HIV when meeting a wg for a sexual encounter? 

I would have to weigh the risk and benefits.  They bound to be some side effects that come along with prep but the thought of purchasing prep and taking them sounds sensible to me.

[daviemac]

What would you be doing with an escort that would put you at risk of HIV?  Unless you're a barebacker of course but even then it would be highly unlikely with a female partner.

[puntingking]

What would you be doing with an escort that would put you at risk of HIV?  Unless you're a barebacker of course but even then it would be highly unlikely with a female partner.

I don't do unprotected sex with wgs. I was doing some reading on hiv earlier today, well actually about all stis and stds.

Hiv can still be transmitted via virgina fluids, kissing (if there are mouth sores, damage to roof of the mouth, bleeding gums), rimming, sharing needles. Not just unprotected sex.

It is indeed higher for gay people but I want to limit my risk to 0.

You could also say seeing a different woman each week or two for sexual services is increasing my chances slightly when obviously I don't know her sex history and obviously I am sleeping with escorts who see lots of different men each day most likely.

[daviemac]

I don't do unprotected sex with wgs. I was doing some reading on hiv earlier today, well actually about all stis and stds.

Hiv can still be transmitted via virgina fluids, kissing (if there are mouth sores, damage to roof of the mouth, bleeding gums), rimming, sharing needles. Not just unprotected sex.

It is indeed higher for gay people but I want to limit my risk to 0.

You could also say seeing a different woman each week or two for sexual services is increasing my chances slightly when obviously I don't know her sex history and obviously I am sleeping with escorts who see lots of different men each day most likely.

If you had unprotected vaginal sex with a woman who has HIV the chances of you becoming infected are 1 in 2380.

If you are this worried about infections perhaps punting isn't for you.   

[houseboot]

"obviously I am sleeping with escorts"

How quaint.

[fatboy]

If you want to limit your risk to 0 best not shag WG's really or come to that any other females.
Take a look at the real world....all that shagging going on and very few getting ill.
Do you worry about getting run over ?

[puntingking]

If you want to limit your risk to 0 best not shag WG's really or come to that any other females.
Take a look at the real world....all that shagging going on and very few getting ill.
Do you worry about getting run over ?

You are quite right here. It is just my anxiety over catching something that Is quite nasty like HIV.

I know the likelihood is slim but I want a to be assured when meeting wgs that i won't get hiv. Taking prep might be the way forward.

[puntingking]

If you had unprotected vaginal sex with a woman who has HIV the chances of you becoming infected are 1 in 2380.

If you are this worried about infections perhaps punting isn't for you.   

.

[Punterperson1971]

You are quite right here. It is just my anxiety over catching something that Is quite nasty like HIV.

I know the likelihood is slim but I want a to be assured when meeting wgs that i won't get hiv. Taking prep might be the way forward.

Buddy you have 43 reviews already and you’re worrying now :dash:bit late for that really isn’t it.

[Dave82]

It doesn't matter what precautions you take there will always be a risk, minor but the risk will always be there. Just like everything we do, there are always risks.

[daviemac]

You are quite right here. It is just my anxiety over catching something that Is quite nasty like HIV.

I know the likelihood is slim but I want a to be assured when meeting wgs that i won't get hiv. Taking prep might be the way forward.

Have you discussed it with your doctor or the GUM clinic you go to for regular checks?

Every time medical question crop up I say the same thing, ask medical professionals if what you propose to take is suitable you.

The GUM clinic will be able to tell you about any side effects and if in your case the benefits would outweigh the side effects.

[Doc Holliday]

Have you discussed it with your doctor or the GUM clinic you go to for regular checks?

Presumably not?

https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=339829.msg3529773#msg3529773

[daviemac]

Presumably not?

https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=339829.msg3529773#msg3529773

Silly me, why should he discuss whether or not he needs it with medical professionals when all the answers are here on a punting forum.   

[puntingking]

Have you discussed it with your doctor or the GUM clinic you go to for regular checks?

Every time medical question crop up I say the same thing, ask medical professionals if what you propose to take is suitable you.

The GUM clinic will be able to tell you about any side effects and if in your case the benefits would outweigh the side effects.

The gum clinic would be able to tell me but its hard for me to say that I pay for sexual services.  What if they report back to my gp which knows the rest of my family. That would be horrifying. 

[hendrix]

I don't do unprotected sex with wgs. I was doing some reading on hiv earlier today, well actually about all stis and stds.

Hiv can still be transmitted via virgina fluids, kissing (if there are mouth sores, damage to roof of the mouth, bleeding gums), rimming, sharing needles. Not just unprotected sex.

It is indeed higher for gay people but I want to limit my risk to 0.

You could also say seeing a different woman each week or two for sexual services is increasing my chances slightly when obviously I don't know her sex history and obviously I am sleeping with escorts who see lots of different men each day most likely.

Not possible, unless you abstain from sex completely.

[JontyR]

OP - would it sate your concerns if you found out that the SP was on PrEP?

[daviemac]

The gum clinic would be able to tell me but its hard for me to say that I pay for sexual services.  What if they report back to my gp which knows the rest of my family. That would be horrifying.

FFS give up punting mate.

They can't tell your GP anything without your express consent. You don't even have to give your real name, just a name they can call you and a method of contacting you, as a result they have no access to your medical records let alone who your GP is.

If you look online there's loads of videos of how to make a tinfoil hat that will be very useful for you.

As long as you are open and honest with the GUM clinic they will be able tell you if prep is needed in your case.

If you can't be open and frank with healthcare professionals who are there to help and have heard it all before then there's no hope for you.

[Lou2019]

Silly me, why should he discuss whether or not he needs it with medical professionals when all the answers are here on a punting forum.   

It’s like deja vu

[shed]

I sometimes wonder what "substances" some punters must take to post such rubbish. More so from somebody with 40 plus reviews.

[lamboman]

Some people here have a poor understanding of odds and statistics.

[puntingking]

FFS give up punting mate.

They can't tell your GP anything without your express consent. You don't even have to give your real name, just a name they can call you and a method of contacting you, as a result they have no access to your medical records let alone who your GP is.

If you look online there's loads of videos of how to make a tinfoil hat that will be very useful for you.

As long as you are open and honest with the GUM clinic they will be able tell you if prep is needed in your case.

If you can't be open and frank with healthcare professionals who are there to help and have heard it all before then there's no hope for you.

OK. I do hear what you are saying.

[puntingking]

OP - would it sate your concerns if you found out that the SP was on PrEP?

Yes. That would help.

[akauya]

It is indeed higher for gay people but I want to limit my risk to 0.

Sounds like punting is not for you mate. If punting makes you so anxious I'd stick to wanking; I'm not being facetious. Seriously, if you are thinking of going to see a WG do have a wank - it will take the edge off and it's the only way to limit your risk of catching an STD to zero.

 

[Aldebaran]

If I was you, I would certainly ask for medical advice, not about the risks of catching HIV but about your obviously increasing anxiety and paranoia. I think it's more your mental health that is an issue here.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would guess the STI issue isn't the only thing that you worry about by a long way, but just the tip of an iceberg.

[JontyR]

have a wank - it will take the edge off and it's the only way to limit your risk of catching an STD to zero.

But what if he's got hand clap?

[shed]

But what if he's got hand clap?

 

[puntingking]

If I was you, I would certainly ask for medical advice, not about the risks of catching HIV but about your obviously increasing anxiety and paranoia. I think it's more your mental health that is an issue here.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would guess the STI issue isn't the only thing that you worry about by a long way, but just the tip of an iceberg.

My mental health is perfectly fine.

[PunTor13]

"My mental health is perfectly fine", said every person:
a) whose mental health is fine, but also
b) every person whose mental health isn't fine but who lacks the insight to realise it ............

So, posting that you think it is fine is unlikely to reassure people who (from your posts) think otherwise, (equally, them posting their concerns without detailing WHY, isn't likely to persuade you if you fall into either a) OR b) )
 

[The0neAnd0nly]

"My mental health is perfectly fine", said every person:
a) whose mental health is fine, but also
b) every person whose mental health isn't fine but who lacks the insight to realise it ............

So, posting that you think it is fine is unlikely to reassure people who (from your posts) think otherwise, (equally, them posting their concerns without detailing WHY, isn't likely to persuade you if you fall into either a) OR b) )

22s

External Link/Members Only

[PumpDump]

If you had unprotected vaginal sex with a woman who has HIV the chances of you becoming infected are 1 in 2380.

If you are this worried about infections perhaps punting isn't for you.   

For comparison chance of contracting HIV is about the same odds as dying from choking on food. So OP if you want to be completly safe you should give up eating as well 

External Link/Members Only

Cause of Death   Odds of Dying
Heart disease   1 in 6
Cancer   1 in 7
COVID-19   1 in 12
All preventable causes of death   1 in 21
Chronic lower respiratory disease   1 in 28
Opioid overdose   1 in 67
Suicide   1 in 93
Motor-vehicle crash   1 in 101
Fall   1 in 102
Gun assault   1 in 221
Pedestrian incident   1 in 541
Motorcyclist   1 in 799
Drowning   1 in 1,024
Fire or smoke   1 in 1,450
Choking on food   1 in 2,745
Bicyclist   1 in 3,396
Sunstroke   1 in 6,368
Accidental gun discharge   1 in 7,998
Electrocution, radiation, extreme temperatures, and pressure   1 in 14,705
Sharp objects   1 in 26,744
Cataclysmic storm   1 in 35,074
Hot surfaces and substances   1 in 50,341
Hornet, wasp, and bee stings   1 in 57,825
Dog attack   1 in 69,016

[daviemac]

For comparison chance of contracting HIV is about the same odds as dying from choking on food. So OP if you want to be completly safe you should give up eating as well 

Two things, why are you quoting me when I'm telling the OP if he's that worried about catching something then punting might not be for him.

Mainly though what the hell has the probability of dying in the USA got to do with this thread.   

[PumpDump]

Two things, why are you quoting me when I'm telling the OP if he's that worried about catching something then punting might not be for him.

Mainly though what the hell has the probability of dying in the USA got to do with this thread.   

I was adding to your point that the chances of infection are so slim. I posted the stats to compare the risk to some everyday things the OP would do without giving a second thought but are more risky.

[daviemac]

I was adding to your point that the chances of infection are so slim. I posted the stats to compare the risk to some everyday things the OP would do without giving a second thought but are more risky.

What has the USA got to do with it though, or any of those causes of death, the OP is concerned about contracting HIV from WG not getting shot by one. If you noticed my post gave him the odds of him catching HIV while having sex with a woman who's infected. 

Do you think the odds of getting shot in this country are the same as those in the US?

[PumpDump]

What has the USA got to do with it though, or any of those causes of death, the OP is concerned about contracting HIV from WG not getting shot by one. If you noticed my post gave him the odds of him catching HIV while having sex with a woman who's infected. 

Do you think the odds of getting shot in this country are the same as those in the US?

Ok you're being a bit pedantic now. The bottom line is his chance of catching HIV is almost nil. We can agree on that right?

[daviemac]

Ok you're being a bit pedantic now. The bottom line is his chance of catching HIV is almost nil. We can agree on that right?

No, I'm trying to keep this thread on topic and the topic is should the OP take pre-exposure prophylaxis in order to avoid HIV is the course of punting.

[soppyget]

Ok so the guy asks a genuine question and gets shot to shit as a result?

Many of you do have a perfectly good point that there is no way we can take the risk to zero but I've certainly heard more constructive ways of saying it.

Likewise, the lad who pointed out how many punts he's already had but maybe punting king has only just heard of prep?

Questioning his mental health too?  The legal minimum protective kit for a motorcyclist is only a crash helmet yet I know riders who literally spend a couple of grand on their gear.  and these are not fast riders! Yes, i raise an eyebrow at their chioices because i would make different ones but I would no more question their mental health than I would this guy.

So come on lads, like I say, there are good points made but all this string has done is discourage others from asking questions for fear of the same dirisory responses.

PK - there are risks with using prep (kidney issues i believe) but going to the gum clinic or your gp is the VERY best way to make sure you're given the FACTS. I hear what youre saying about feeling like you're in a confessional cubicle but they're bound by laws of confidentiality so your family should never find out.  To counter this, under GDPR you're allowed to request access to your records.  This will give you reassurance that nothing has been passed from gum to your gp.

The most important point to take from everyone's comments here are that they correctly point out that there is no zero risk to be had if you're shagging about.  While prep is proving very effective in limiting hiv transmission, there are still strains of hiv that have been transmitted to prep users.

If you did indeed go to using prep as well as condoms then it has to be said, you are less likely to catch hiv because perhaps a condom splits.  That said, statistically speaking, even if your condom split while shagging a lass who is hiv +, the chances of transmission are still only 1 in 1219 according to the bumf available from the sexual health clinic (see image).

You'll also see from the top table in the image that they would only "consider" a course of pepse  (post exposure profylaxis after sexual exposure) which is the same stuff as prep in the event of a condom failure during insertive vaginal sex with a woman who is hiv+.

Again, you should talk it through with a health professional as they would carry out the pre tests before recommending its use but the info I've given is what satisfies me that prep is more than I feel is necessary.

Hope that is useful mate 👍

Hidden Image/Members Only

[puntingking]

Ok so the guy asks a genuine question and gets shot to shit as a result?

Many of you do have a perfectly good point that there is no way we can take the risk to zero but I've certainly heard more constructive ways of saying it.

Likewise, the lad who pointed out how many punts he's already had but maybe punting king has only just heard of prep?

Questioning his mental health too?  The legal minimum protective kit for a motorcyclist is only a crash helmet yet I know riders who literally spend a couple of grand on their gear.  and these are not fast riders! Yes, i raise an eyebrow at their chioices because i would make different ones but I would no more question their mental health than I would this guy.

So come on lads, like I say, there are good points made but all this string has done is discourage others from asking questions for fear of the same dirisory responses.

PK - there are risks with using prep (kidney issues i believe) but going to the gum clinic or your gp is the VERY best way to make sure you're given the FACTS. I hear what youre saying about feeling like you're in a confessional cubicle but they're bound by laws of confidentiality so your family should never find out.  To counter this, under GDPR you're allowed to request access to your records.  This will give you reassurance that nothing has been passed from gum to your gp.

The most important point to take from everyone's comments here are that they correctly point out that there is no zero risk to be had if you're shagging about.  While prep is proving very effective in limiting hiv transmission, there are still strains of hiv that have been transmitted to prep users.

If you did indeed go to using prep as well as condoms then it has to be said, you are less likely to catch hiv because perhaps a condom splits.  That said, statistically speaking, even if your condom split while shagging a lass who is hiv +, the chances of transmission are still only 1 in 1219 according to the bumf available from the sexual health clinic (see image).

You'll also see from the top table in the image that they would only "consider" a course of pepse  (post exposure profylaxis after sexual exposure) which is the same stuff as prep in the event of a condom failure during insertive vaginal sex with a woman who is hiv+.

Again, you should talk it through with a health professional as they would carry out the pre tests before recommending its use but the info I've given is what satisfies me that prep is more than I feel is necessary.

Hope that is useful mate 👍

Hidden Image/Members Only

Thanks 

[soppyget]

No probs mate 

[Nightingale]

For comparison chance of contracting HIV is about the same odds as dying from choking on food. So OP if you want to be completly safe you should give up eating as well 

External Link/Members Only

Cause of Death   Odds of Dying
Heart disease   1 in 6
Cancer   1 in 7
COVID-19   1 in 12
All preventable causes of death   1 in 21
Chronic lower respiratory disease   1 in 28
Opioid overdose   1 in 67
Suicide   1 in 93
Motor-vehicle crash   1 in 101
Fall   1 in 102
Gun assault   1 in 221
Pedestrian incident   1 in 541
Motorcyclist   1 in 799
Drowning   1 in 1,024
Fire or smoke   1 in 1,450
Choking on food   1 in 2,745
Bicyclist   1 in 3,396
Sunstroke   1 in 6,368
Accidental gun discharge   1 in 7,998
Electrocution, radiation, extreme temperatures, and pressure   1 in 14,705
Sharp objects   1 in 26,744
Cataclysmic storm   1 in 35,074
Hot surfaces and substances   1 in 50,341
Hornet, wasp, and bee stings   1 in 57,825
Dog attack   1 in 69,016

Bang on. A bit of perspective here.

[LLPunting]

Bang on. A bit of perspective here.

Only if the OP was in the US several years ago.
Different countries different risks in all things, different regions and communities within countries too. 
Some starting points for those of you looking to inform yourselves:
External Link/Members Only
External Link/Members Only

Ageing info but indicative: External Link/Members Only

What if the OP was actually headed for certain parts of certain countries in Africa?
External Link/Members Only

That said, there's also this to consider: External Link/Members Only

OP, you need to consider you own very personal sexual risk profile and decide how much your perceived mitigation of infection is worth to you.  It may be better/cheaper/less stressful for you to get married (here or abroad), go back to dating (here or abroad), "invest" in one or more SBs, buy a sex doll or whatever.

[Colston36]

I don't do unprotected sex with wgs. I was doing some reading on hiv earlier today, well actually about all stis and stds.

Hiv can still be transmitted via virgina fluids, kissing (if there are mouth sores, damage to roof of the mouth, bleeding gums), rimming, sharing needles. Not just unprotected sex.

It is indeed higher for gay people but I want to limit my risk to 0.

You could also say seeing a different woman each week or two for sexual services is increasing my chances slightly when obviously I don't know her sex history and obviously I am sleeping with escorts who see lots of different men each day most likely.

What are virgina fluids? Are they different from the kind other women have? How many virgins are on AW anyhow?

[PumpDump]

I cannot believe the OP is serious. I think his is just amusing himself.

[puntingking]

What are virgina fluids? Are they different from the kind other women have? How many virgins are on AW anyhow?

Spelling mistake - 
Vagina fluids

[PepeMAGA]

The gum clinic would be able to tell me but its hard for me to say that I pay for sexual services.  What if they report back to my gp which knows the rest of my family. That would be horrifying.

Put HIV to one side, there are many other STis that you could pick up from punting and some you can catch regardless of wearing protection. You'll need to go to a clinic for that too.
I don't know a huge amount about prep, but it is a prescription medication so you'd need to go to your gp, the clinic or use an online service to get it. What I would say about the latter, they wouldn't be able to monitor your health like your gp (I think it can affect kidney function).
Overall I would recommend becoming more comfortable with visiting sti clinics. Just go to a different town if you don't want to be seen.

[S.X. MacHine]

No probs mate 

I agree with your points. The OP is raising an issue of concern to him.
I sometimes wonder whether punters seeing TS girls might enhance their safety by taking pRep?

[Colston36]

But what if he's got hand clap?

He'll get a round of applause.

[soppyget]

I agree with your points. The OP is raising an issue of concern to him.
I sometimes wonder whether punters seeing TS girls might enhance their safety by taking pRep?

You do have a point actually.  I had read research that stated that (per cent) the ts population has a higher hiv+ rate than heterosexual females.  Of course, I'm open to anyone telling me otherwise from conflicting published research.

That said, being shagged in the ass when the condom splits still gives the receiver the option of pepse.  And as my attachment shows, even if the insertive partner is hiv+, transmission is still not nailed on.

Probably wouldn't hurt to ask the ts if they use prep and to be clear about their status.

[Doc Holliday]

You do have a point actually.  I had read research that stated that (per cent) the ts population has a higher hiv+ rate than heterosexual females.  Of course, I'm open to anyone telling me otherwise from conflicting published research.

That said, being shagged in the ass when the condom splits still gives the receiver the option of pepse.  And as my attachment shows, even if the insertive partner is hiv+, transmission is still not nailed on.

Probably wouldn't hurt to ask the ts if they use prep and to be clear about their status.

Firstly thanks for your excellent post above https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=341654.msg3551362#msg3551362 

You are of course correct that a TS will carry a greater potential risk. You could ask any SP if they are taking Prep but I wouldn't advise it as frankly it is none of your business. 

If they inform you or advertise such then that is different, but they may not be truthful, so from a risk assessment perspective you need to assume they are not.

If you really want to get immersed in the data then 40% of all new UK HIV diagnoses (including heterosexual) are in London. Do you avoid sex in London?

As I have said many times before, when you get down to very small risks approaching zero, as we are discussing here, then the lottery/chance factor comes into play, making it quantifying risk almost futile.

The chances of winning the lottery are many millions to one yet a small number of people win it more than once. Some people will buy many tickets but never win a thing. Others a single ticket and the jackpot.

The chances of being struck by lightening are slim yet some people have been struck more than once. I think some park ranger in North America was struck around half a dozen times. I recall he survived all of them and then shot himself when in his seventies. Funny old world!

If, as a punter, you are correctly using condoms for penetrative heterosexual sex with casual partners, then Prep is OTT.

[soppyget]

Good call doc. And thanks for the compliment.