Aa
Risk
First Let me thank you for your help. I have been in a seven month manogmous relationship with a guy who spent 91/2 years in prison in the state of michigan from what i know michigan it is the law to get tested going in prison and coming out of prison. I saw his papers where he tested negative for Hiv and Hepitis but to be on the safe side we went and got tested together 2months after he got out of jail and that was also negative. I got tested a week ago on Feb 2, 2009 and that was negative. We always use condoms. My question is what is my chances of staying negative and also should i feel comfortable with his results and should i feel comfortable with my results? He told me he never selpt with men while he was in prison but who would admit to that. I know you say that is high risk but by both of us testing negative should i feel comfortable.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Retention of a condom in that fashion might slighly increase STD transmission risk, but not much. Since your partner pretty clearly isn't infected with anything, condom use probably isn't necessary unless it's also your contraceptive method of choice -- unless, of course, either of you is likely to have other partners.
Thank you for your response doctor. HE was tested every six months in jail that is the law in the stae of michigan. And also we went together to go and get tested. so i just wanted to know if i should worry or not. Im very safe when it comes to sex. Also another question I have if you have time to answer how low or high is the risk if your having sex and the condom slips off and excuse me for being graphic but is left in the vagina as he pulls out?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
First, the tests themselves are completely reliable. If he was indeed tested for HIV at least 2 months (or for even more certainty, 3 months) after his last possible exposure or after he left prison, and if those results are negative, he isn't infected.
But your question really focuses on the personal issues, not the biological ones. You are correct and smart to question your partner about both his HIV status and his sexual exposures. HIV rates are much higher in African Americans than in other race/ethnicity groups in the US, and in prisoners, and those two facts are linked: the high rate of HIV in AA's is partly due to higher incarceration rates and to sexual activity and injection drug use in prison. Further, you probably are very aware that some black men are especially unlikely to acknowledge sex with other men.
But when all is said and done, the large majority of men (of any race) who leave prison do not have HIV. Also, undoubtedly most men give honest responses about these things when asked by someone they care about. In your case, it would take not only lying but falsifying paperwork. For these resons, I doubt your partner has HIV or is carrying hepatitis B or C. But at the end, you are the only one who can decide whether or not you trust him. If he isn't infected, then you are not at risk at all, with or without consistent condom use.
A final possibility would be for the two of you to be tested together at the visit at the same clinic, and go together to get your test results. It would be very difficult if not impossible for him to falsify that result. On the other hand, you might not want to go that far in challenging his honesty.
So the bottom line is that I suspect there is no risk, but it really isn't a medical issue. It comes down to your personal relationship and that part is up to you.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
But your question really focuses on the personal issues, not the biological ones. You are correct and smart to question your partner about both his HIV status and his sexual exposures. HIV rates are much higher in African Americans than in other race/ethnicity groups in the US, and in prisoners, and those two facts are linked: the high rate of HIV in AA's is partly due to higher incarceration rates and to sexual activity and injection drug use in prison. Further, you probably are very aware that some black men are especially unlikely to acknowledge sex with other men.
But when all is said and done, the large majority of men (of any race) who leave prison do not have HIV. Also, undoubtedly most men give honest responses about these things when asked by someone they care about. In your case, it would take not only lying but falsifying paperwork. For these resons, I doubt your partner has HIV or is carrying hepatitis B or C. But at the end, you are the only one who can decide whether or not you trust him. If he isn't infected, then you are not at risk at all, with or without consistent condom use.
A final possibility would be for the two of you to be tested together at the visit at the same clinic, and go together to get your test results. It would be very difficult if not impossible for him to falsify that result. On the other hand, you might not want to go that far in challenging his honesty.
So the bottom line is that I suspect there is no risk, but it really isn't a medical issue. It comes down to your personal relationship and that part is up to you.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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