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WHAT ABOUT METH AND HIV?


Meth and HIV were made for each other.

Meth use increases the risk for spreading HIV and other STDs in several ways. For starters, meth users are far less likely to use condoms. When condoms are used, there is increased risk of breakage due to not using enough lubrication. Condoms become subject to increased wear and tear.

Injecting meth is often done with shared needles which can transmit HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases. See Prevention Works, for information on reducing risk from injecting drugs.

Meth also leads users to engage in other potentially risky behaviors. High on meth, you're may not want to or be unable to set and maintain boundaries when bottoming, for BDSM, when fisting, or for other edge play. A top high on meth is less likely or able to respect limits and avoid injuring the bottom.

Meth causes the HIV to reproduce faster, even if you take medications to fight HIV, This means higher viral loads, lower CD4 counts, and more risk of growing drug-resistant virus. This also means greater risk of infecting someone else.

Not taking HIV meds as prescribed while high or crashing makes it worse. You'll help grow drug-resistant virus and possibly limit your treatment options in the future.

If you're HIV-positive and have unprotected sex with others while using meth, you can infect someone else with the virus. In some jurisdictions, you can be prosecuted for infecting another person.

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