Sero-sorting or sero-guessing?
VAC Many men try to make fucking without a condom safer by trying to find a sex partner – casual or regular – of the same HIV status, this is what is known as sero-sorting. Men who engage in sero-sorting often do so by asking potential sex partners their HIV status or by guessing from whether or not their sexual partner’s ask to use a condom. Data from the Melbourne Gay Community Periodic Survey indicates that sero-sorting is the most commonly used risk reduction strategy by gay and bisexual men.
Sero-sorting is a behaviour that can potentially reduce your level of risk for contracting or passing on HIV. It is important to understand that the level of risk is only reduced, it is not eliminated, and an actual reduction in risk is dependent upon knowing both your own and your sex partner’s actual HIV status. It is important to point out however that one of the biggest issues with using sero-sorting as a risk reduction strategy is the possibility of one partner being HIV positive and not knowing it. One research study in Melbourne found that one in five HIV positive guys did not know that they were in fact HIV positive.
Some men may wrongly believe themselves to be HIV negative because their last HIV test result was negative, but how long ago was the test and have they had unprotected sex even once since their last test? If they have then they may be HIV positive and not know it. Also it can take up to six weeks for HIV to show up in a blood test.Furthermore some men may also believe that if their sex partner does not reach or ask for a condom before sex then they must be the same HIV status as themselves. Both HIV positive and HIV negative men can make this assumption and this is not a reliable way to determine what HIV status your sex partner is.
If you intend on fucking without condoms with a casual partner there are some things to consider in order to reduce your risk of contracting or passing on HIV:
When was their last HIV test? When was yours? What were the results? What were your results? Have they fucked anyone else without condoms since having that test? Have you? Did they fuck anyone without condoms six weeks prior to the test? Did you?
When all is said and done sero-sorting is not a reliable way to prevent HIV transmission. Using condoms and water based lube remains the most effective way to prevent HIV. For more information about sero-sorting and other risk reduction strategies check out the link below.
