#1 HIV AIDS

Men who have sex with men continue to be at increased risk for HIV infection. Safe sex using condoms and non-petroleum-based lubricants has been proven to reduce the risk of both getting and transmitting HIV. Although HIV is now a disease that can be managed, there is still no cure, and preventing infection remains the key to ending the epidemic.

Men who have sex with men should get regular HIV tests and appropriate risk-based counseling about safe sex practices and ways to reduce risk.

#2: Anal Papilloma

Gay men are at high risk for getting the human papilloma virus (HPV), which can cause anal papilloma and certain types of anal cancers. Some men may benefit from a vaccine to prevent HPV from being transmitted. Also, some health professionals recommend routine anal pap smears to screen for cancer. HPV can be treated, but it often comes back, and infections spread easily between sexual partners.

Men who have sex with men should be screened for anal papilloma. Gay men under age 27 should get the HPV vaccine.

#3: Hepatitis Immunization

Gay men are at increased risk for getting hepatitis, a disease of the liver. Hepatitis can cause serious health problems, including liver cancer, cirrhosis, liver failure, and even death. You can be immunized against two of the three most serious hepatitis viruses: A and B, and this is recommended for all gay men. Safe sex, which reduces the risk of transmission of all types of viral hepatitis, is the only way to prevent transmitting hepatitis C.

Men who have sex with men should be immunized against Hepatitis A & B.

#4: Substance Use

Gay men abuse substances at higher rates compared to others. Substances used include amyl nitrates (poppers), amphetamines (including crystal meth), marijuana, ecstasy, and cocaine. Use of these drugs has been linked to higher rates of HIV transmission through impaired decision making during sex. Although the long-term effects are unknown, evidence suggests that prolonged use of these substances is likely to have serious negative health consequences.

Men who have sex with men should be screened for substance use and get appropriate education and risk-based counseling.

#5: Depression and Anxiety

Men who have sex with men have higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to others. These problems are often worse for men who are closeted or don’t have adequate social support. As a result, gay teenagers and young adults have an increased risk of suicide. However, culturally sensitive mental health services can help prevent and treat these problems.

Men who have sex with men should be screened for signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety, and should seek appropriate mental health services as needed.

#6: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Men who have sex with men are at risk for sexually transmitted diseases. These include infections for which there are effective cures (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, pubic lice or crabs), as well as those for which treatments are more limited (HIV, hepatitis A, B, or C, human papilloma virus). Safe sex, including the use of condoms, is key to preventing STDs.

Men who have sex with men who are sexually active should be routinely screened for sexually transmitted diseases.

2. The name money comes from Middle English: from Old French "moneie", from Latin "moneta", "mint" or "money", originally a title of the goddess Juno, in whose temple in Rome money was minted.

3. The first banks were likely religious temples because the security was always tight.

4. The first records of loans, deposits, currency validation and exchange were recorded in the 18th Century BC in Babylon (or, Ancient Greece)

5. Pythius, a merchant banker from Asia Minor in 5th century B.C. was the first banker on record. He offered to give 4 million gold coins to Persian King Xerxes for his war expenses – Xerxes declined and gave him 7,000 coins for his offer instead.

6. The term "check" or "cheque" is derived from the game of chess. Putting the king in check means his choices are limited, just like a modern day cheque that limits opportunities for forgery and alteration.

7. The Knights Templar between 1118 and 1307 used a cheque system to provide their pilgrims with travel funds. They worked much like travellers cheques now.

8. The term "bankrupt" is taken from two words… bancus meaning bench in Latin on which bankers used to ply their trade in the marketplace and ruptus meaning broken – once the banker could no longer trade, the bancus would be broken to signify the banker is out of business.

9. The original two currencies of America was the Sterling Pound and the Spanish Dollar. In fact, the first type of U.S. currency to ever be issued was a mere $2,000,000. It was issued in 1775 by the Continental Congress. Every new issue of this currency steadily devalued it against the Sterling Pound, and the Spanish Dollar.

10. The $ symbol is derived from the Spanish dollar sign. In 1782, the US considered choosing the Spanish peso as the country’s currency. The abbreviation for the Spanish peso (PS) later transformed into a $.

11. The U.S. "$" sign has long been in use to represent foreign currency prior to the issue of the first U.S dollar in 1875. Not only that, but the "$" symbol never has, nor does it now, appeared on any U.S. currency.

12. In 1932, wooden bills were temporarily made and used in Tenino, Washington because there was a major cash shortage at the time and wood was readily available.

13. The largest numerical bill ever to circulate in the world was 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, and it was the Millard Hungarian Pengo, issued in 1946. At the time, it was only worth $.20cents in the U.S.

14. The first ATM to ever exist was at Barclays Bank in London, in 1967. It was invented by John Shepherd-Barron while bathing in his tub, or so he claimed. Guess what else? That ATM didn’t charge a fee…