Read this Article (it should calm most of us)

[vvvvworried16]

In 1997 Padian et al published the results of a 10 year study on heterosexual transmission of HIV in northern California.3 The data were divided into two parts, cross sectional and prospective. From the cross sectional study it was estimated that infectivity for male to female transmission is low, approximately 0.0009 per contact, and approximately eight times more efficient than female to male transmission. Using this estimate of male to female transmission, it would take 770 or 3333 sexual contacts respectively to reach a 50% or 95% probability of becoming infected. If sexual contact were to take place repeatedly every three days this would require a period of 6.3 and 27.4 years respectively. Based on the estimate of female to male transmission by Padian et al it would require 6200 and 27 000 contacts and a period of 51 and 222 years, respectively (table).

http://www.healtoronto.com/nih/
  

[freddy999]

Except that this synopsis is published on an AIDS denialist web site....ie. that HIV does not cause AIDS

These groups often have an anti-gay or religious right stance. It would be worthwhile understanding their motives.

I would be interested in reading the actual study but not a summary from a group that has a particular bias.

The other point is that for many people, when they consider odds of say 1/100, 1/1000, 1/10000 etc. all they see is the 1 in the equation.

Statistics tell you nothing about your personal situation and are only really useful in epidemiological studies etc.

But maybe its just me.....

[ScaredUKGirl]

I agree....These are just stastics. Yes, it tells us HIV is not easily transmitted but it does not indicate that I or you can not be infected!

[peekawho]

I applaud your efforts to calm people down, but the sad fact is that NOTHING calms down most of the posters on this site.  They have, for the most part, an unreasonable and irrational fear of an uncommon disease.