Could a life be lived without risk? Imagine, if you can, a world were nothing you do matters because all your actions and outcomes carry no risk. This world could quickly become a meaningless eternity. If there is no risk of dying then the value of being alive has changed. A world full of high risk may equally be unacceptable – what is the point of pursuing any action if all outcomes are random? Somewhere in between these polar worlds of risk, society dances with uncertainty and attempts to find a balance.
Society often encourages and exalts travel adventurers who take risks. However many people, who pursue travelling as an expression of living reduce and balance the risk of travel by purchasing insurance. Similarly with sport or business, risk reduction strategies can be engaged. In sport people often purchase protective gear, while businesses may reduce risk by commissioning research and consulting professional advice. Here too society often raises the status of individuals who take risks labelling them entrepreneurs or sporting heroes.. What then are risk takers with sex? Are they also heroes, or legends… adventurers traversing uncharted territories maybe?
When I am in a romantic mood I sometimes like to believe that all I risk when I engage with someone sexually is the risk that either of us could fall in love with one another. A timely reality check is delivered by a visit to Royal Perth Hospital Sexual Health Clinic (9224 2178), where I am reminded that exercising sexuality also risks the acquisition of a sexually transmissible infection. It’s funny how being ‘sexual adventurers’ suddenly seems a lot less appetising when said adventurer becomes ‘discoverer of STIs’…
Like other aspects of life, sexual engagement carries with it some risks that can be reduced, without taking all the fun out of life. As someone living with HIV, using condoms are an important part of preventing HIV as they reduce the risks of sexual engagements. But I’m also aware that, as with all of us, the risk is still there. In the real world, human vulnerabilities (eg mental health issues, substance abuse) and accidents (eg condom breakage), mean that sometimes risk reduction isn’t enough to prevent unwanted consequences.
If something like this does happen, one way of reducing the risk after a possible exposure to HIV is to take a course of anti-HIV drugs. Known as Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), the anti HIV drugs need to be taken as soon as possible, preferably within a few hours and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after a potential exposure to HIV. The sooner PEP is started, the more chance of it working. WA has an after hours PEP line available on 1300 767 161 or it can be accessed through the emergency department at Royal Perth or Fremantle Hospital. PEP maybe an important risk reducing tool for couples with mixed HIV status relationships and casual encounters where condoms are absent for whatever reason. Awareness and reduction of risk empowers and propels our communities towards a more meaningful and balanced life.
