I try to tell people all the time we get into your business because that’s what we have to do to make sure we’re doing all the right things for your health.
We ask you about whether you’re a top or bottom. We asked about if you’re using condoms or not. Some of us will ask about if you’re using certain toys like butt plugs or dildos. We’ll ask if you’re a bottom if you’re douching or using enemas. All of these things are not meant just to get into your business and make you embarrassed about saying it in the medical office. But actually to find out what behaviors you’re engaging in.
Depending on what you do, will guide what kind of sexually transmitted infection screening we’re going to do every time you come in. What you do will define what kind of vaccinations we may recommend for you. And that will also just help us to get to know you better. So if you tell us what’s going on with your life, if you tell us what behaviors you like and what you don’t like, we can take better care for you.
You can still get as freaky and as ratchet as you want to be, but just enjoy yourself and be responsible with it. But your life won’t end after that, your sex life certainly will not end after HIV.
Dr. David Malebranche, MD, MPH, a clinician-researcher specializing in HIV, gives the lowdown on all things HIV care and treatment in the latest installment of the #AskTheHIVDoc video series.
