I clearly remember, in 1983 when AIDS became the “bogeyman” of my gay community. I was living in Anchorage Alaska at that time. Not much was known about this new “gay cancer” or “gay disease” that was afflicting and killing so many young gay men throughout our country. Doctors and scientists were struggling to get a grasp on how it was spread and how it could be detected, let alone cured. Early reports suspected that kissing could transmit the virus from saliva. That was later dismissed. This disease was deemed a death sentence if contracted. There was no known cure at the time, but testing finally became available.
I was 30 years old and I had a persistent cough that frightened me into thinking I may have contracted AIDS. So I went to the clinic to be tested. There was a waiting period of a couple weeks before getting the results. I got my call but was too afraid to go in to find out if I had it. It’s hard to describe the terror I felt being so young and facing what I believed to be a slow, horrific death. I waited for over a month before I finally got up the courage to face my results. I was completely convinced I had AIDS… so when the clinician told me that my test was negative… I couldn’t believe it. All that anxiety and fear only to find out I was safe from the dreaded disease.
We are so fortunate in our present time to have tests for AIDS and Covid. These tests and vaccines can save lives and reassure… It may be a different experience for younger Americans who didn’t experience the AIDS epidemic and lose so many friends and family members to a disease that, at the time, had no cure. Later the drug AZT was unveiled, and effectively slowed down the progression of AIDS.. Then the “cocktail”, a drug mixture typically containing nucleoside analog which blocks genetic replication, and inhibitors of two enzymes that are critical enzyme in the making of new virus. Today AIDS is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) including PREP in the arsenal to protect and impede HIV.
Young adults who are sexually active today face a list of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, HPV, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydia and pelvic inflammatory disease. Today’s young people are much more savvy about disease and treatment…regular testing is vital to staying on top of your personal health and well-being. Spring is a time of renewal and fertility. One can have a active, healthy sexual life if precautions are taken to be safe. Regular testing is one safeguard…condoms are another. But the most important sex organ that rules every other…is your BRAIN! Use it liberally!
Dave Shelton
Freelance graphic artist and sign designer. 66-year-old retiree who lives in Arizona with his husband, Tom.
I have also been a cartoonist, comedian, and have created articles in publications throughout the United States. My focus in retirement is primarily health, fitness, and laughter content.
I create my content based on my own life experiences.
