Heterosexual Intercourse Found to be the Major Mode of HIV Transmission in a Group of Thai Fisherman

7 April 2003

Tony Floyd,
Medical Student
Newcastle University

Send response to journal:
Re: Heterosexual Intercourse Found to be the Major Mode of HIV Transmission in a Group of Thai Fisherman

Aside from David Gisselquist being falsely cited in support of alternative AIDS theories, the response entitled "HIV in South Africa"(1) provides another curious example. A 1994 article by Caceres CF and van Griensven was used to support a theory that ONLY anogenital insertive intercourse and oroanal sex are HIV risk factors.

A May 2000 article(2) by van Griensven states:

--- "findings indicate a high HIV-1 prevalence among fishermen in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Risk factor analysis suggests that heterosexual intercourse is the major mode of transmission in this population." ---

Checking references continues to disappoint anyone trying to find substance in alternative AIDS arguments.

Even if, in most populations, unprotected heterosexual sex carries a LOW risk for HIV transmission, surely any risk should continue to be acknowledged and minimised?

References:

(1) Papadopulos-Eleopulos. HIV in South Africa. BMJ Rapid Response 13 March 2003

(2) Entz AT, Ruffolo VP, Chinveschakitvanich V, Soskolne V, van Griensven GJ. HIV-1 prevalence, HIV-1 subtypes and risk factors among fishermen in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. AIDS. 2000 May 26;14(8):1027-34. PMID: 10853985 [Abstract]

Competing interests: None declared