Welcome To Man2Man.ie

Welcome to man2man.ie, HIV and Sexual Health information for gay and bisexual men, other men who have sex with men and the trans community.

Our Sexual Health

Sexual health, as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It goes beyond the absence of disease and includes positive aspects of sexuality, such as pleasure, respect, and consent.

Why Our Sexual Health Matters

Our sexual health is an important part of our overall well-being. It affects our relationships, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. By prioritising our sexual health, we can enhance our sexual experiences, reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and promote healthy relationships.

Across this site, you will find information on HIV and STI Prevention (Condoms and Lube, PEP, PrEP and vaccines), Free STI Testing (In-clinic, Home Testing, Rapid Testing), Drugs and Alcohol harm reduction, our mental health and well-being and more.

STI PREVENTION

Preventing the transmission of STIs and HIV is about knowing the risks, and taking responsibility for minimising the risks.

TESTING AND SUPPORT

It has never been easier to test for STIs. You can now test in-clinic, at home or avail of a rapid test.

HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV affects the body’s immune system, attacking the body’s defences.

News & Resources

  • MPOX Vaccines

    MPOX hasn’t gone away. The virus continues to circulate globally with recent cases identified in Ireland and across Europe.

    As long as new cases occur, the potential for new outbreaks in our community remains. Even though case numbers are relatively low in Ireland, getting fully vaccinated is still really important. Vaccination reduces the risk of getting mpox, and if infection occurs in a vaccinated person, it is likely to be a lot less severe.

  • Shigella

    Shigella is a bacterium that causes severe stomach upset. The European Centre of Disease Control (ECDC) recently reported on extensively drug-resistant Shigella Sonnei across Europe and Ireland amongst gbMSM. It is passed on through infected faeces (poo) – this can be through contaminated food or sexually. Only a very small amount of the bacteria is needed to cause infection. Infection can be treated with a course of antibiotics, however some strains can prove more difficult to treat.

Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)

U=U

Viral load is the term used to describe the amount of HIV in the body at any one time.  It is determined with a blood test.

A higher viral load is associated with a higher risk of HIV transmission. When a person living with HIV is on effective treatment and the level of virus (viral load) in the body is so low that it cannot be detected (is ‘undetectable’), HIV cannot be transmitted to sexual partners. This is also known as ‘undetectable’ equals ‘untransmittable’ (U=U).  

Let’s Talk About…

Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus. It occurs primarily in remote parts of Central and West Africa. There are two types of monkeypox: West African monkeypox and Congo Basin monkeypox.

  • Monkeypox

    MPOX (monkeypox) is a viral infection. It can lead to an illness that ranges from mild to severe and can last a number of weeks...

  • Consent

    Consent is where there is free and voluntary agreement to engage in a sexual act with someone else.

  • Staying Safe

    Most of the time, using hook-up apps is a fun and pleasurable experience. It is also a great way to meet new people.