Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
HIV Prevention (Expert Forum)
Condom Broke Durin Insertive Anal Sex--Worried about HIV Risk
by espas247, Oct 30, 2009 12:57PM
Hi Doctors,
I am a 21-yr old, homosexual, college student. I recently had what I consider to be a low-risk encounter with another male, but my anxiety over the encounter has led me to post on your site. Two weeks ago, I invited a fellow college friend whom I have had sexual relations with before over to my house. We were both drunk, and in the heat of the moment, we decided to share in anal intercourse. Before having sex, I made sure to ask him if he was recently tested for STDs, and he assured me that he was tested in May and was negative. During sex, I was the insertive partner, and because we did not have lube to use, the condom broke. Within 2 seconds of it breaking, I pulled out and rushed to the bathroom to scrub with soap and water. I am unsure if the tip of my penis was exposed.
After the incident, I have had much anxiety and have been worried that I have contracted HIV. I always use condoms, so to have one break is very scary to me. I have noticed a slight sore throat and lymph node pain, but my temperature is normal. Since then, I have talked to my partner many times. He told me that since his negative test, he has had only one protected receptive anal sex encounter, over the summer. He also assured me that he always uses condoms. I am worried that he is not being completely truthful with me though. Do you think my exposure warrants my anxiety and how likely is it that HIV was transmitted? Thank you for everything!
I am a 21-yr old, homosexual, college student. I recently had what I consider to be a low-risk encounter with another male, but my anxiety over the encounter has led me to post on your site. Two weeks ago, I invited a fellow college friend whom I have had sexual relations with before over to my house. We were both drunk, and in the heat of the moment, we decided to share in anal intercourse. Before having sex, I made sure to ask him if he was recently tested for STDs, and he assured me that he was tested in May and was negative. During sex, I was the insertive partner, and because we did not have lube to use, the condom broke. Within 2 seconds of it breaking, I pulled out and rushed to the bathroom to scrub with soap and water. I am unsure if the tip of my penis was exposed.
After the incident, I have had much anxiety and have been worried that I have contracted HIV. I always use condoms, so to have one break is very scary to me. I have noticed a slight sore throat and lymph node pain, but my temperature is normal. Since then, I have talked to my partner many times. He told me that since his negative test, he has had only one protected receptive anal sex encounter, over the summer. He also assured me that he always uses condoms. I am worried that he is not being completely truthful with me though. Do you think my exposure warrants my anxiety and how likely is it that HIV was transmitted? Thank you for everything!
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Oct 30, 2009 02:11PM
, Oct 30, 2009 02:11PM
Welcome back. You have been a semi-regular on the HIV and STD forums, each time with similar questions.
Congratulations on your interest in and consistent attention to be sexually safe. It will serve you well, even if there are occasional inadvertant lapses like you describe here. However, it is time for you to learn from both the preceding answers and this one that you do not need to seek specific advice every time there is a glitch. Remember that HIV is inefficiently transmitted, even in the highest risk encounters. Except when there are overt lapses in safety -- for example, if you were to have unprotected anal sex (either top or bottom) with a known infected partner -- it makes little sense to have an HIV test after any particular exposure. Just plan on an HIV test once a year, with the expectation that the result will remain negative, assuming your sexual practices remain generally safe and you assure ahead of time that your partners aren't infected.
As for this particular event, you have strong evidence your partner does not have HIV. Of course HIV infected people can lie, but most don't, especially when asked outside the immediate sexual situation. Even if he had HIV, with such brief exposure after the condom ruptured, the chance of transmission would have been very low, probably no more than 1 chance in 1000, as a guess.
Bottom line (no pun intended): The risk of HIV is virtually zero in this situation and I do not recommend testing. Of course you are free to do it if this reassurance doesn't settle your fears and you would sleep better knowing you have had a negative test.
Let's plan on this as your last such question. Also, please note MedHelp's policy about a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months on the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions).
Best wishes. Stay safe-- HHH, MD
Congratulations on your interest in and consistent attention to be sexually safe. It will serve you well, even if there are occasional inadvertant lapses like you describe here. However, it is time for you to learn from both the preceding answers and this one that you do not need to seek specific advice every time there is a glitch. Remember that HIV is inefficiently transmitted, even in the highest risk encounters. Except when there are overt lapses in safety -- for example, if you were to have unprotected anal sex (either top or bottom) with a known infected partner -- it makes little sense to have an HIV test after any particular exposure. Just plan on an HIV test once a year, with the expectation that the result will remain negative, assuming your sexual practices remain generally safe and you assure ahead of time that your partners aren't infected.
As for this particular event, you have strong evidence your partner does not have HIV. Of course HIV infected people can lie, but most don't, especially when asked outside the immediate sexual situation. Even if he had HIV, with such brief exposure after the condom ruptured, the chance of transmission would have been very low, probably no more than 1 chance in 1000, as a guess.
Bottom line (no pun intended): The risk of HIV is virtually zero in this situation and I do not recommend testing. Of course you are free to do it if this reassurance doesn't settle your fears and you would sleep better knowing you have had a negative test.
Let's plan on this as your last such question. Also, please note MedHelp's policy about a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months on the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions).
Best wishes. Stay safe-- HHH, MD
Post Comment
