LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Hepatitis C: New Health Concern for Gay Men |
by Sal Seeley |
Okay, go with me on this one. Imagine being a major muscular dude who happens to have a contract with COLT studios modeling for calendars and porn movies. You have guys oooing and aaahing all over you. Now tell me, who wouldn't want that? You can have your pick of any man you want to sleep with. Suddenly, a year later you have dropped 70-80 pounds and now can't lift a 50-pound weight? Sounds unheard of, eh? Well, for my good friend John this happens to be true. After lots of risky sexual activities, John contracted Hepatitis C. He lost all of those muscles, his face became almost skeleton like, the modeling contract was gone and all the men faded into his past. John is just one of the many gay men who are finding themselves faced with this growing health threat. Hepatitis C is becoming a significant health threat for gays, according to some experts, but until recently, few in the gay community have paid much attention to the issue. But how big an issue is this virus? And should anyone be tested for it? These are the questions that we as gay men must be asking ourselves. The first symptoms of Hepatitis C are usually so minor that 45% of people are unaware that they are infected. The early stage of infection is followed by a completely silent period of disease that can last from ten to fifteen years. During this time there are no symptoms. After the silent period, the virus starts reproducing again in over 50% of the people with Hepatitis C and can severely damage the liver. It may lead to cirrhosis (hardening of the liver) and, eventually. Liver cancer. The silent period of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection may be cut short in people with HIV. Men co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C appears to have a more rapid progression of HIV disease. Such men may die of Hepatitis-related causes rather than AIDS. In any case, a damaged liver can make it harder to use many of the drugs needed to treat HIV infection. Even though the virus isn't easily transmitted through sex, it is very possible. Exactly how it is spread through sex is unknown. But for men who have multiple male sex partners with other men, the transmission rates are higher. However, the highest transmission rate goes for men who are intravenous drug users who have sex with other men. Here in Rehoboth this could be a major issue, especially among the party scene. Any type of club drug that is snorted is a risk because of small traces of blood on whatever surface was used to sniff from, which gets sniffed back up by the next person who uses the surface. However, not only shooting up, snorting and sex can give you Hepatitis C. Other modes of transmission include infected blood, IV needles, razors and infection from mother to a newborn. Tattoo and body piercing tools can also spread the virus. Hepatitis C is not something that you can get a quick fix for. As many as 85 percent of Hepatitis C patients experience chronic, or recurring, disease. Five percent die from the virus. This is something that you will have to live with for the rest of your life, and it could possibly affect your sexual relations. "It's really crucial for you to know if you have Hepatitis C," said Dr. Lawrence Mass, a physician and writer who is credited with being the first to write about AIDS. Mass is also the co-founder of New York's Gay Men's Health Crisis. Mass also states that people are not taking Hepatitis C seriously. "Everybody across the board is casual and not very concerned about it, to an extent that I find it troubling. "People don't want to raise the alarm of panic. They didn't want to do it with AIDS. They never want to." So, what can we do about protecting ourselves against Hepatitis C? The most important way to avoid becoming infected is to be careful about what risks you are willing to take. The spread of the virus is all about risk behavior and STDs are high in the Gay community [because] people are not negotiating safe sex practices. Male condom use for people with multiple sex partners is very important to help prevent the Hepatitis C Virus. Also, make sure your partner and yourself make good decisions with regards to cleanliness and protecting open sores or wounds. Taking the proper precaution and making informed decisions will really help you in the long run. Remember, have fun, play smart and CAMPsafe. Campsafe, a health-oriented program of CAMP Rehoboth, offers counseling beyond an HIV/AIDS focus. Gay and bisexual men will have the opportunity to ask counselors questions about sexual health and behavior in a non-judgmental and confidential environment. For more information, contact CAMPsafe counselor Sal Seeley at 302-227-5620. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 13, Sept. 22, 2000. |