HIV and Gay and Bisexual Men: HIV Risk Behaviors

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Data for 2020 should be interpreted with caution due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to HIV testing, care-related services, and case surveillance activities in state and local jurisdictions. While 2020 data on HIV diagnoses and prevention and care outcomes are available, we are not updating this web content with data from these reports.

The risk of getting or transmitting HIV varies widely depending on the type of exposure or behavior. Most commonly, people get or transmit HIV through anal or vaginal sex, or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment—for example, cookers.

Sexual Behaviors Among Gay and Bisexual Men with Diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*
Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load is the best way for people with HIV to stay healthy and protect others.
8 percent of gay and bisexual men with HIV had sex without using any HIV prevention compared to 7 percent of people overall.

* Among people aged 18 and older.
† Had sex while not virally suppressed with a partner whose HIV status was negative or unknown, a condom was not used, and the partner was not taking PrEP.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.

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