Think You’re HIV Positive? Know Your Risks. And Appreciate Dr. Bob
July 2nd, 2010
I do love Dr. Robert Frascino, aka Dr. Bob.
Dr. Bob is sex-positive, HIV positive and out about it, wonderfully frank and funny as he educates people on The Body about HIV transmission and prevention. His writing makes people feel comfortable to ask what can be deemed strange but true questions.
The ongoing theme in these questions is fear and the ongoing answer is to educate yourself, directly delivered by the good Doctor. HIV is not as readily transmitted as herpes or human papillomavirus (HPV), but it’s good to know the transmission “formula” when making sexual decisions, particularly with a partner whose HIV status is unknown to you. Dr. Bob offers encouragement around testing when he thinks it’s applicable and encouragement to learn more about HIV for future liaisons.
He also catches amazing fly balls. One section he writes lists the questions as “I’m Positive I’m Positive.” People throw him anger and accusations of stupidity. It is the Internet after all, where anonymity can prompt people to, shall we say, abandon their manners. There was the poster who’d been seen by multiple HIV specialists who all confirmed he was not infected with HIV, yet accused Dr. Bob et al. of incompetence, and insisted he should have access to HIV meds. This poster isn’t the only one with great fear.
Dr. Bob’s messages are clear: know your risks. Know your status. Get care when needed. HIV is a fearful disease to be sure. But the fear it creates can be bigger than the risk of getting it. Dr. Bob tries to keep it all level. And living with HIV himself, he’s aware of the wonder of life. Gotta love him.
- Janet
This blog represents the ideas of individual writers, and does not necessarily reflect any formal stance taken by Positive Women's Network.
This was posted on Friday, July 2nd, 2010 at 9:08 am and is filed under Education & Resources, HIV Prevention, HIV Transmission . Feel free to respond, or trackback.
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