Aa
HIV Risk and Recommendation
Hi Docotors,
I'm a heterosexual male who recently had unprotected vaginal sex with a girl of unknown HIV status. Sex was brief, lasting less than 2 minutes. She is not an IV drug user, but I am unsure if she had any other STDs. I have no other STDs prior to this encounter. I am also NOT a bisexual or IV drug user.
We were going to use a condom, but when she brought it out it broke. She was very hesitant to proceed, but more so because she was afraid of getting pregnant.
In the past 2.5 years, this is the only girl I've been with. Prior to the incident above, the only timeI had unprotected sex with her was 1.5 years ago. I was tested for HIV 10 weeks after that via the Orasure test and was negative.
This girl is not the typical street walker or massager parlor worker, but does ocasionally sleep with guys for money. I know she's had 2 long term relationships, but will see 2 other guys including myself.
Couple of questions:
1) I understand the risk of HIV transmission from female to male during one episode of vaginal intercourse is low compared to other activities. Based on the information above, what would you think my chances of being infected with HIV were?
2) I am not overly promiscuous and this is the only person I've been with in the past 2.5 years. In your professional opinions, do you recommend that I get tested over this encounter?
3) I read in a few posts that read, neither of you know of a case of HIV transmission from female to male via a single act of heterosexual intercourse in which the male was niether an IV drug user or had other STDs present. Is this correct to say?
I only ask because on another site, there is a compliation of user submitted stories that seem to indicate otherwise. Granted, all risk factors are not known and the stories could be fabricated to get more hits. I would trust your opinions far more than those.
Thank you for your time and advice.
I'm a heterosexual male who recently had unprotected vaginal sex with a girl of unknown HIV status. Sex was brief, lasting less than 2 minutes. She is not an IV drug user, but I am unsure if she had any other STDs. I have no other STDs prior to this encounter. I am also NOT a bisexual or IV drug user.
We were going to use a condom, but when she brought it out it broke. She was very hesitant to proceed, but more so because she was afraid of getting pregnant.
In the past 2.5 years, this is the only girl I've been with. Prior to the incident above, the only timeI had unprotected sex with her was 1.5 years ago. I was tested for HIV 10 weeks after that via the Orasure test and was negative.
This girl is not the typical street walker or massager parlor worker, but does ocasionally sleep with guys for money. I know she's had 2 long term relationships, but will see 2 other guys including myself.
Couple of questions:
1) I understand the risk of HIV transmission from female to male during one episode of vaginal intercourse is low compared to other activities. Based on the information above, what would you think my chances of being infected with HIV were?
2) I am not overly promiscuous and this is the only person I've been with in the past 2.5 years. In your professional opinions, do you recommend that I get tested over this encounter?
3) I read in a few posts that read, neither of you know of a case of HIV transmission from female to male via a single act of heterosexual intercourse in which the male was niether an IV drug user or had other STDs present. Is this correct to say?
I only ask because on another site, there is a compliation of user submitted stories that seem to indicate otherwise. Granted, all risk factors are not known and the stories could be fabricated to get more hits. I would trust your opinions far more than those.
Thank you for your time and advice.
I'm not sure if this is allowed, and if not please feel free to lock this thread. I don't have a question, but rather just wanted to pass along some information reaffirming much of what the Doctors on this forum say regarding heterosexual males and HIV.
I went for testing because of my above situation. I know it's far to early, but I wanted peace of mind from any previous encounters since the girl I was with was the only one I've been with for the last 2.5 years. I do plan to get retested at 6-8 weeks.
In any case, the clinic that I went to for testing is probably the largest HIV testing center in the state that I live in. I spoke to the medical person regarding my situation and HIV among males in general. Here is a summary of her experiences thus far:
1) No heterosexual male, who is neither bisexual or an IV drug user, has ever tested HIV positive at their clinic from one unprotected encounter with a female of unknown HIV status. I asked her if alot of males come in for testing under these circumstances. She said, 'yes, alot'.
2) They have 1 documented case of a male who contracted HIV from his female wife. However, both knew beforehand that she was HIV+. He assumed that risk prior to any sexual relations. Over a period of 1 year, he came in for testing every 3 months. For the first 3 quarters he tested negative. Towards the end, he eventually did test HIV+. He confirmed that he and his wife engaged in both unprotected vaginal AND anal intercourse during that period. No med staff could understand his logic and they constantly pleaded with him to use condoms. It was his choice not to.
3) This next point is what I found most interesting. The medical person said that alot of men, especially military, who come in for HIV testing and claim to be heterosexual are infact bisexual. She said when they first come in, they are for the most part very emphatic about being heterosexual. They have a girlfriend or wife back home. However, they later admit to having sex with other men because either they were drunk or 'lonely', hence their reason for getting tested. It upset her because she said many times, that is how they get infected and in turn take it back home to their wife or girlfriend.
This lead me to think about how many HIV+ heterosexual males listed in the CDC statistcs actually contracted HIV via heterosexual (vaginal) intercourse.
I hope that maybe this information can be useful to others who are in a similar situation as I am, and are waiting nervously for THE test. It matches with what both Dr. Hook and Dr. Handsfield have said many times on these forums.
I almost didn't want to post this for fear that I could be that ONE case, but I figure it might be far more beneficial to share this information for others who come here looking for it.
I went for testing because of my above situation. I know it's far to early, but I wanted peace of mind from any previous encounters since the girl I was with was the only one I've been with for the last 2.5 years. I do plan to get retested at 6-8 weeks.
In any case, the clinic that I went to for testing is probably the largest HIV testing center in the state that I live in. I spoke to the medical person regarding my situation and HIV among males in general. Here is a summary of her experiences thus far:
1) No heterosexual male, who is neither bisexual or an IV drug user, has ever tested HIV positive at their clinic from one unprotected encounter with a female of unknown HIV status. I asked her if alot of males come in for testing under these circumstances. She said, 'yes, alot'.
2) They have 1 documented case of a male who contracted HIV from his female wife. However, both knew beforehand that she was HIV+. He assumed that risk prior to any sexual relations. Over a period of 1 year, he came in for testing every 3 months. For the first 3 quarters he tested negative. Towards the end, he eventually did test HIV+. He confirmed that he and his wife engaged in both unprotected vaginal AND anal intercourse during that period. No med staff could understand his logic and they constantly pleaded with him to use condoms. It was his choice not to.
3) This next point is what I found most interesting. The medical person said that alot of men, especially military, who come in for HIV testing and claim to be heterosexual are infact bisexual. She said when they first come in, they are for the most part very emphatic about being heterosexual. They have a girlfriend or wife back home. However, they later admit to having sex with other men because either they were drunk or 'lonely', hence their reason for getting tested. It upset her because she said many times, that is how they get infected and in turn take it back home to their wife or girlfriend.
This lead me to think about how many HIV+ heterosexual males listed in the CDC statistcs actually contracted HIV via heterosexual (vaginal) intercourse.
I hope that maybe this information can be useful to others who are in a similar situation as I am, and are waiting nervously for THE test. It matches with what both Dr. Hook and Dr. Handsfield have said many times on these forums.
I almost didn't want to post this for fear that I could be that ONE case, but I figure it might be far more beneficial to share this information for others who come here looking for it.
Thank you so much for the quick response. You've answered my questions precisely and have found them extremely helpful.
I know much of the feelings that I have come from anxiety due to the risk I've brought upon myself , and it's something I'll need to come to terms with on my own. It still can be quite a frightening prospect to be that 'one' in a million as the saying goes.
I read some of the other questions on the forum and find it rather strange (for lack of a better word) at some of the things people inquire about. Given all that is known about HIV, it still seems many people are misinformed... including myself.
In many instances I wish my expsoure was as low risk as theirs. I'm sure others will read my post and think the same thing.
In any case, I know this isn't a psychology forum or a place to express your emotions so I'll end it with, I will take your recommendation and do a screening. I figure that since my last HIV/STD was around a year ago, I'll wait the 8 weeks from my last exposure and schedule another trip to the clinic.
Thanks for your time Doc. Take care.
I know much of the feelings that I have come from anxiety due to the risk I've brought upon myself , and it's something I'll need to come to terms with on my own. It still can be quite a frightening prospect to be that 'one' in a million as the saying goes.
I read some of the other questions on the forum and find it rather strange (for lack of a better word) at some of the things people inquire about. Given all that is known about HIV, it still seems many people are misinformed... including myself.
In many instances I wish my expsoure was as low risk as theirs. I'm sure others will read my post and think the same thing.
In any case, I know this isn't a psychology forum or a place to express your emotions so I'll end it with, I will take your recommendation and do a screening. I figure that since my last HIV/STD was around a year ago, I'll wait the 8 weeks from my last exposure and schedule another trip to the clinic.
Thanks for your time Doc. Take care.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. Your questions and situation are clearly stated and therefore I will go on and answer them directly.
1. On average, fewer than 1 in 1000 women in North American and Western Europe have HIV and of those, the majority who have infection are female injection drug users. The description that you provide about your partner suggests that she is lower than average risk. In addition, your risk of HIV, IF she was infected (very, very unlikely) is, on average less than 1 in 1000 and given the brevity of your exposure, I suspect the risk is lower than average.. Bottom line, even thinking conservatively, your risk of HIV is less than 1 in a million and probably far lower. thus the exposure you describe does not suggest that there is an urgent need to get tested for HIV (see below for more on testing).
2. There is little reason to worry. However, on a statistical basis, the likelihood that she, or anyone else has a more common STD such chlamydia is far higher than the probability that she had HIV. Thus while I suspect your risk is rather low, we nonetheless endorse and recommend periodic STD/HIV "screening (testing in the absence of symptoms) because you have had a new partner within the past year. As a matter of personal protection, we recommend annual testing for anyone who has had new, or two or more sex partners in the past year (we consider this to be health maintenance- we also recommend you get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly).
3. Neither Dr. Handsfield nor I has personally had such a case however, we have heard rare reports of such cases. Thus, the fact that we have not is not a reason to think that such events don't happen from time to time--"stuff happens" or, to put it another way, when the odds are a million to one, someone has to be the one. For this reason we suggest that all our clients practice safe sex and consider periodic STD screening.
I hope these comments help. I realize there is a lot of frightening stuff said on the internet. Much of it is take out of context and unduly scary. I hope the comments above are helpful to you. EWH
1. On average, fewer than 1 in 1000 women in North American and Western Europe have HIV and of those, the majority who have infection are female injection drug users. The description that you provide about your partner suggests that she is lower than average risk. In addition, your risk of HIV, IF she was infected (very, very unlikely) is, on average less than 1 in 1000 and given the brevity of your exposure, I suspect the risk is lower than average.. Bottom line, even thinking conservatively, your risk of HIV is less than 1 in a million and probably far lower. thus the exposure you describe does not suggest that there is an urgent need to get tested for HIV (see below for more on testing).
2. There is little reason to worry. However, on a statistical basis, the likelihood that she, or anyone else has a more common STD such chlamydia is far higher than the probability that she had HIV. Thus while I suspect your risk is rather low, we nonetheless endorse and recommend periodic STD/HIV "screening (testing in the absence of symptoms) because you have had a new partner within the past year. As a matter of personal protection, we recommend annual testing for anyone who has had new, or two or more sex partners in the past year (we consider this to be health maintenance- we also recommend you get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly).
3. Neither Dr. Handsfield nor I has personally had such a case however, we have heard rare reports of such cases. Thus, the fact that we have not is not a reason to think that such events don't happen from time to time--"stuff happens" or, to put it another way, when the odds are a million to one, someone has to be the one. For this reason we suggest that all our clients practice safe sex and consider periodic STD screening.
I hope these comments help. I realize there is a lot of frightening stuff said on the internet. Much of it is take out of context and unduly scary. I hope the comments above are helpful to you. EWH
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
