Circumcision and AIDS

[Guest Merlin]

A program is scheduled Saturday Dec 1 10-22pm EST on TLC on the AIDS epidemic in Africa. "They have uncovered a staggering amount of evidence pointing to circumcision as a factor that decreases a man's risk of contracting the disease, and viewers tag along as the researchers try to find out why this is so." Graphic scenes not for weak stomachs. It has previously been said that since the skin of the uncut dick is so thin, even microscopic scratches may allow entry of the virus. We had a previous discussion of the under "My nephew's penis" but I thought it important enought to give it a heading of it's own.

[+ honcho]

Take my comments with a big grain of salt:

 

1.) I am circumcized

2.) I am HIV negative.

 

Now all that being said, the program is about HIV in Africa --

 

It remains to be demonstrated that being uncircumsized is a risk factor for HIV in western european or US or canadian environments.

 

There are many, many differences between them.

[trilingual]

The indications are that being circumcised tends to protect the man from contracting AIDS in heterosexual intercourse. I don't know if there is data showing a similar effect for circumcised gay men who are exclusively "tops," but one would assume it would be the same, for the same reasons. Of course, being circumcised doesn't make someone immune to AIDS. It just reduces the risk, if other factors are present. So keep using those rubbers, guys!

 

.

[Guest AdamLVescort]

I just got finished watching the program. Wow.. It seems to me there is a lot of evidence pointing to uncirc vs. circ . Personally I feel that what ever helps I think they should try it. I understand the advantages (sensitivity and personal right) of being uncirc but if anything could help slow down the transmission of aids, why not try it. As for our country we are promoting more condom use but for Africa they still seem to be in the beginning stages. I thought the data they found was pretty interesting but know I am curious to see how they are going to tame this epidemic.

 

 

So what do you think? I am curious to hear from some of those brilliant minds out there.

 

 

Adam

XOXO

http://www.adamlvescort.com

[Guest Jason Reardone]

One interesting fact:

 

The very country that claims the highest HIV population percentages is the very country that reports that there is no funding in order to test for HIV, kinda backwards concept you think?....interesting fact considering there are at least 27 other infections that create combined subjective findings similar to the onset of HIV infection.

 

Wear a condom!

 

<just my two cents....I guess I owe you change, jr>

[Guest BenDover]

Truly interesting program and study. The science behind it was great. The study WAS about heterosexual transmission from female prostitutes to males. The surface of skin provides a protective barrier to germs, infection etc. Mucosa does not. The interior surface of the forskin does not provide this same protection. It is very nearly the same as mucosa.

I found it interesting when they circumcised an adult male and then kept the foreskin specimen alive in a culture. The divided it and exposed each specimen to HIV. The exposure on the exterior surface of the foreskin did not seroconvert. The exposure on the interior surface of the foreskin did seroconvert.

Interesting science. But probably not much benefit for homosex, I guess.

And the warnings were correct. This program was not for the weak of heart. Unless your into public circumcision.