Author – David Stuart.
The great majority of us human beings here on planet Earth will contract coronavirus (COVID-19) this year. People who engage in chemsex are even more likely to, because in many cases (not all) chemsex includes lots of transmission possibilities within those chemsex scenarios; it also often (not always) involves higher numbers of new partners over two to three day periods. For the great majority of us, the symptoms will pass and we’ll be fine.
So despite the fear and alarm associated with this pandemic, we really shouldn’t be frightened of that inevitability.
However, there is a minority of people among our chemsex communities who will develop more complicated symptoms when they contract COVID-19; and for a certain number of those, the symptoms will be fatal.
So. We all have a responsibility to protect that minority – vigilantly – from catching COVID-19; from us, from our communities.
That means doing our best to avoid that minority of people when we are potentially infectious.
Given the amount of COVID-19 peaking within our communities this year, it would be unwise and very unkind to hook up with/have chemsex with a COVID-19-vulnerable person;
– especially if we have had other partners in the previous days/weeks
– especially if we have not been vigilant about hand-washing, face touching in the previous days/weeks
– especially if we have been close to anyone with symptoms of cough or high temperature in the previous days/weeks
– especially if we have been around any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the previous days/weeks
– especially if we have a new persistent cough, shortness of breath or a high temperature (self-isolate for 7 days in this case)
Who are the people most likely to develop the more dangerous complications from COVID-19?
– elderly people, over 70
– people with cancer
– people with high blood pressure
– people with problematic diabetes
– people with chronic kidney disease
– people with chronic heart disease
– people with chronic lung disease
– people with respiratory problems
– people with compromised immune systems.
HIV
COVID-19 is very new, so there is not a lot of evidence to give absolute reassurances on the following.
COVID-19 affects our respiratory tract mostly; the stronger our immune systems are, the better we can fight it. The HIV virus weakens the immune system if left untreated for too long. This time can vary person to person.
(For the information below, I consulted an HIV specialist, who I thank dearly.)
– Nearly all people living with HIV and on treatment with undetectable viral loads have strong immune systems, so COVID-19 would not necessarily pose a higher risk to them than anyone else. Take comfort in this; be reassured. (The British HIV Association recommends that HIV positive patients make sure they’re up to date with their annual flu vaccination and the pneumonia vaccination; both are common at this time of year, both are preventable; avoiding those illnesses will reduce the burden on our health services and hospitals during this COVID-19 pandemic.)
– It’s possible that people living with diagnosed HIV, but who are not taking any HIV medicines, or people who have only recently started treatment might be at greater risk of developing the more complicated symptoms of COVID-19; but this isn’t known for sure. Talk to your doctor or HIV healthcare team as soon as possible about this. They’ll be able to answer this more exactly.
– If people have HIV but do not know it, their immune system might have been damaged, putting them at risk of developing infections and other illnesses. It’s possible that they might not be able to fight off infections like COVID-19 as people who don’t have HIV, or people with HIV who are taking treatment. Therefore, if you haven’t tested recently (or ever), it is a good idea to have a test so that if it’s positive, you can start treatment as soon as possible.
– For some people, going for an HIV test is a scary thing; but it really shouldn’t be. HIV medicines work brilliantly and the protection they give to your immune system should make it easier to fight infections like COVID-19. Now is a very good time to get tested for HIV. While you are there; ask about condoms, ask about PEP; ask what “undetectable” means, and ask about availability of PrEP. These are all HIV prevention tools, and now is a really good time to avoid a new HIV infection. A new HIV infection is quickly followed by some HIV seroconversion symptoms; these symptoms vary person to person, but they could complicate a COVID-19 infection if they happened simultaneously. HIV prevention is especially important during this COVID-19 outbreak.
Being kind
Everyone has different and varying relationships to chems; they affect us all differently.
Some of us can stop chems, take a break during a dangerous period, practice excellent hygiene, wear condoms consistently, adhere to our HIV medicines perfectly, take our PrEP perfectly.
For many of us others, those things can be difficult.
Drug cravings can be overpowering. Mental health can fluctuate.
The desire to self-care can be out of our reach sometimes, during some seasons of poor wellbeing.
Sometimes when things are bad, the lost ability to self care can be accompanied by an apathy in regard to caring for others
Choosing to take a break, or to practise meticulously safe chemsex during this COVID-19 pandemic is not something we can all accomplish. And as a community, we need to be kind, understanding and intelligently aware of this. And patient and flexible and generous. Cruelty, lack of empathy, and unkindness make epidemics worse.
Many people participating in chemsex may be run down, depressed, off their HIV medicines for a period of time.
Many people participating in chemsex may be living with undiagnosed HIV; whether that’s a month or a year.
Many of our older brothers and lovers may be participating in chemsex despite the risks, because they may have less control over triggers, cravings and compulsions to use chems.
Many older COVID-19-vulnerable people may be lonely and isolated, and taking greater risks in regard to COVID-19 prevention.
For some of our older gay brothers, this is the second epidemic within their lifetime that affects their sex lives and their ability to seek connection, intimacy, pleasure; epidemic fatigue is a real thing.
This is life, this is gay life. This is addiction, this is mental health; this is fatigue, this is fluctuating seasons of wellbeing, and this is sex and horniness. This is the need for intimacy, this is the ‘Human’ in human nature. This is our primal desire for connection. This is the nature of gorgeous and sometimes vulnerable human beings.
This is chemsex too.
If you DO want to take a break from chems during this time, but don’t feel confident that you can…
Try it this way.
1. DECIDE to do it. In your heart (That makes it easier).
2. Choose a small period of time, like 1 week; say “I’m not doing Chems for the next seven days“. Say it into a mirror. Say it to a friend. Commit to it.
3. Learn how to anticipate triggers in the coming week; so you are prepared for the cravings.
4. Learn how to manage cravings.
5. Keep yourself busy & occupied. That helps. Ask friends for help keeping you busy & occupied
