STI check – Gonorrhoea and HIV
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that can infect the dick, arse and throat and has increased dramatically in 2010.
As with any sexually transmitted infection, gonorrhoea increases the amount of HIV viral load in the dick, arse and bodily fluids. This can increase the likelihood of passing on HIV to a negative partner.
Most positive guys have regular blood tests to check on HIV viral load and CD4, but these never include tests for gonorrhoea because gonorrhoea is tested by urine sample or by a swab. Therefore, ask your doctor specifically to get tested for STIs at the same time as your regular HIV check-up.
The antibiotics given to treat gonorrhoea do not interfere with HIV medications.
info: Information on gonorrhoea and other STIs is available at www.thedramadownunder.info or visit Positive Life NSW www.positivelife.org.au, or acon www.acon.org.au or the Victorian AIDS Council www.vicaids.asn.au.
