Transmission of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Through Heterosexual Activity

Excerpt

When the first cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were recognized among homosexual men, sexual transmission of an infectious agent was among the postulated mechanisms of acquisition of this disease. Since then, transmission of the AIDS virus through homosexual sexual contact has been recognized as the major route of spread of the syndrome in the United States, with approximately 73% of cases occurring among homosexual or bisexual men (1). Epidemiologic studies have shown that among homosexual sexual practices, receptive anal intercourse is particularly associated with the risk of acquiring AIDS (2) and infection by the AIDS virus (3).

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