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Internet Dating Linked To Record HIV Infection Rates

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posted on Oct, 8 2005 @ 04:49 PM
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McAfee wont protect you from this 'computer virus'.
According to Aids Foundation figures, a different gay man has tested positive every four days this year. Researchers say a jump in the number of men using Internet dating is contributing to the spike of increased infection.
Another contributing factor is the longer life expectancies for HIV sufferers who are using the anti-retroviral drug.
 



www.stuff.co.nz
HIV - now it's our most deadly computer virus
09 October 2005
By GREG MEYLAN

Internet dating has fuelled a surge in HIV cases, raising fears New Zealand is heading for record infection rates.

This year, a different gay man has tested positive every four days according to Aids Foundation figures.

If that rate continues, it will beat last year's record of 73 new cases among homosexual men, up from a low of 21 in 2001. Researchers say a jump in the number of men using internet dating websites combined with longer life expectancies for HIV sufferers and complacency are behind the spike. The figures come in the same week as Wellington internet dater Justin Dalley was found not guilty of criminal nuisance. Judge Susan Thomas ruled that the HIV positive man was not legally obliged to tell his sexual partner about his condition because he had used a condom.

Aids Foundation research director Tony Hughes said the increase in infections of the past six months fitted with informal reports from the foundation's clinics which suggested this year would be a record bad year.

"A whole lot of different things are behind the increase, effective treatments are keeping people well therefore there are more positive people around and so there is more potential risk. Also people are not seeing people in their community dying and there is a perception the threat is not as strong, and the community perception of threat is a driver of keeping on using condoms," Hughes said.

"But there have been changes in the way gay men meet each other with the advent of the internet. What that does for an infectious disease is increase the sexual network and the more interactions in the network the more the disease can spread about."



Please visit the link provided for the complete story.


The Internet is always changing our way of life. Meeting people with online dating services is always a risky venture, you never know what you are going to get.

New Zealand courts have recently ruled that an HIV-positive man does not have to disclose his HIV status to his sex partner(s) as long as he uses condoms during intercourse. This is scary as intercourse is not the only way to get HIV.

There has been a rise recently in Germany and UNAIDS warns of rising HIV rates in Europe.
The world need to take a good look at what is going on and take action against the increase in HIV/AIDS.

Related News Links:
www.aids.org
www.advocate.com
www.lifesite.net

[edit on 8/10/2005 by Umbrax]

[edit on 8/10/2005 by Umbrax]

[edit on 10/12/05 by FredT]



 
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