condoms

[scarface1]

If you had a condom failure would you without a doubt know it?  I just called and spoke to a person by phone at Lifestyles and the lady stated that it was possible to finish and have a hole or small tear that would not maybe be seen and condoms are not 100% every time.  This raises a concern as I thought all condom failures would know for sure if it was bad and placed you at risk?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sigh. this apears to be going on and on, We have limited time for replies. this will be my final reply. There will be no more answers.

As I indicated above, your exposure was safe sex. Your sore throat is a coincidence, not HIV.  You need to get over this.  

End of thread.  EWH

[scarface1]

Also to finish what I was asking above as long as a condom is intact afterwards there was no risk even with a positive person.

[scarface1]

Sorry one last concern about my exposure I did have protected sex with a condom that was removed at the end so that leads me to believe it was safe sex but I have had a sore throat for 10 days this sore throat came on at the 8th day after exposure and I am really scared it is HIV related since she was positive.....your thoughts on this?  The sore throat is very mild and really does even start until the early afternoons.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad I could help. Take care. EWH

[scarface1]

Thanks I will take that and move along and put that behind me. I know this has to be a tough forum to manage but you guys provide a great service and educational piece.  I just don't think anyone can probably understand all the phobias that you help to put to rest.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Final answer.  Condom protected sex is safe sex, as I've said before.  EWH

[scarface1]

Thanks for the info I just found out that the person I had sex with is HIV+ but everything I did with her was protected even the less than 10 seconds of penetrating sex vaginal. I guess what scares me more is that I have had a sore throat very mild for 9 days and it started on the 8 or 9th days after this took place. The condom was intact after the deed but again the sore throat has me alarmed. Do I have any risk of HIV from this I was used a polyisoprene condom?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes.  EWH

[scarface1]

The polyisoprene does protect against STD's and HIV correct?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

the scientific data are better for latex condoms for polyethylene but the same statements above hold for both latex and polyethylene condoms.  EWH

[scarface1]

I am assuming the break wide open applies to all types latex, polyisoprene, polyurethane condoms?  Heck if she was the spokes person for condoms I would be to scared to ever venture away from myself.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I'm sure the lady you spoke with gave you what she thought was good advice.  The advice she gave you was also conservative.  She is certainly correct that condoms do not work perfectly all the time.  They break about 1% of the time they are used and more often than that people do not use them properly, sometimes starting to have sex before they put them on or re-using them.  When condoms fail however, it is obvious. Latex condoms are stretched when they are put on and when they break, they break wide open leaving no doubt that they have failed.  (Parenthetically, this is the reason that there is no reason to test condoms with water after they are used to make sure they are intact).

If you put on a condom before you start to have sex and wear it throughout the act, you will be protected from STIs with the exception of those STIS which are spread by direct lesion contact (syphilis, herpes, HPV) and even in those situations, the condoms provide partial protection.  When having sex with a partner who may have an STI, there is no better means of protection.

I hope this comment is helpful to you. EWH