The effects of new treatments on sexual risk taking.

AIDS: New treatments, such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and viral load monitoring, are likely to affect the ways that people react to HIV risk and risk reduction. The California Partners Study is an ongoing examination of serodiscordant heterosexual and bisexual couples, which studies the effects of new information on risk-taking. The 200 participants have undergone lab testing every six months, both to track their behavior and to track the biological and immunological factors associated with preventing HIV. Seventy percent of the couples said that treatment advances and PEP have not had an effect on their sexual practices, and only 25 percent were aware of PEP. Although only a minority is affected, providers need to discuss medical advances with their clients.^ieng