What is bugchasing? Inside the HIV sex roulette orgy parties enjoyed by thrillseekers
AN EXTREME new trend sees people purposely engaging in sex with partners who are HIV positive.
The practice, known as bugchasing, has been defined as a form of self-harm.
But what is the dangerous sex movement, who is partaking and how is it affecting the public?
What is bugchasing?
A bugchaser actively seeks out someone with HIV to sleep with.
Worryingly, with each sexual encounter, the chaser is at risk of contracting the incurable virus.
Why are people interested in the extreme trend?
Some participants claim that they engage in the sexual activity for an extra feeling of excitement.
These bugchasers could also find that sleeping with someone with HIV was more intimate, because of the thrill element.
Others may find the sex more erotic as it’s considered a taboo trend.
While in these cases, participants aren’t looking to contract the virus, this is not always the case.
An article from The American Journal of Psychiatry reveals that some people could attempt to catch HIV as a means of committing suicide.
Other theories suggest that people are so desperate to be nurtured that they’re willing to give themselves the incurable condition.
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Who is taking part?
Cases of bugchasing have begun to break-out across the globe.
Some believe that the trend was sparked by rich Serbian teens that participated in ‘sex roulette’.
In the risky orgies, participants would sleep with one another wearing masks, with one unknown member present being HIV positive.
Reports of the unconventional sexual activity have also been pushed by the concerned Spanish media.
What is HIV?
The NHS explains: “HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, and weakens your ability to fight infections and disease. It's most commonly caught by having sex without a condom.
“It can also be passed on by sharing infected needles and other injecting equipment, and from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.
“There is no cure for HIV, but there are treatments to enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life.”
What are the effects?
It’s believed that an increasing number of people are engaging in bugchasing because they do not fear HIV.
Earlier this year, reports revealed that HIV positive people can have unprotected sexual relationships WITHOUT passing on the disease.
Although transmission of the virus doesn’t occur on every occasion, it’s vital to take precautions when sleeping with a new sexual partner.
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- ‘These girls find pleasure in having me’: HIV-infected man is paid £3 a time to have sex with CHILDREN
- Preventative treatment for HIV can be funded by the NHS after ‘game-changing’ High Court ruling