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Bugchasing (or Bug chasing) is a term, invented in the 1990s, stemming out of a subculture of gay men wanting (Chasing) to become infected with HIV. Bug chasers "chase" the bug by seeking sexual partners who are HIV positive for the purpose of having unprotected sex and having the partner change their seroconversion status.

Bug chasing as activity


Though the practice of bug chasing seems incredibly risky and, in a worst case scenario, tantamount to suicide, interviews with "chasers" have identified recurring motivations for participating in the activity. Among these motivations:

  • Some find relief from "condom fatigue", and feel that they don't have to worry about getting infected or worrying about changes in their HIV status.
  • Some believe that HIV is simply a chronic manageable disease, like diabetes, and that the new drugs promise them a long and healthy life. (Modern antiviral therapy is extremely expensive, can still have painful and unpleasant side-effects, and does not cure or ultimately stop the progression of the disease.)
  • Some couples see infecting the other partner as the deepest level of intimacy.
  • Some men report that the element of danger in sexual encounters of this kind (including the "Russian roulette" activity) adds to the "rush" of arousal.
  • There are men who, once infected, feel like they finally "belong" to a "fraternity" of infected men.

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Bug Chasers - Journalist Daniel Hill examines the psychological impacts of HIV on gay men and bug chasing behavior.

RollingStone: Bug Chasers - Article describing bug chasing activities among gay men who seek to become HIV+.

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(those who have sex without a condom) is flourishing. This includes bug chasers who host conversion parties where men ...
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