[Question #9925] Protected vaginal sex

27 months ago

I had a relationship with women unknown status in Saudi Arabia, and i used durex condom (extra safe) which is the thicker one through all sexual encounters, i had a vaginal sex with her 2 times and oral sex without condom, after this relationship i tried to fill the condom with water and check it if there is any tears or brakes, and I found nothing. Is there a risk for HIV transmission?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

27 months ago

This is your fourth time with the same or similar questions. Just because you have a new and different exposure doesn't mean the information about previous ones isn't reliable. You have been informed repeatedly that oral sex does not risk HIV, even without a condom. And everybody knows that condom protection for vaginal sex is highly effective. Once again you ask about risk free events. However, if you are nervous about it, you're always free to be tested for HIV. (Do not tell me that you can't test because UAE deports HIV infected persons. If you catch HIV you have to return home for immediate treatment anyway.)

The condom "water test" is not helpful and we do not recommend it. It is an urban myth that condoms might have microscopic pores or defects that raise the risk of exposure and infection. If a condom doesn't break wide open, protection is complete and there is no point in using water in an attempt to find minor leaks.

Please do not expect to keep coming to this forum after every sexual experience to ask our assessment of its safety. You know enough from the replies you have had to accurately judge the safety of each one without our help. Repeated anxiety driven questions of this sort are subject to being deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee. Thank you for your understanding. I do hope this final discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

HHH, MD

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27 months ago

Dr. Hunter, Thank you for your clarification, this will be my final reply and the last question that I will be submitting, Regarding to Protected-Vaginal Sex, is it risky? regarding HIV?.

This is my last question and I will not be submit anything else, and for some repetitive question that is because of lack of information and education about the disease in our site, some HCP doesn't know about the new information in regarding of tests, they still stick with the 90th day for conclusive test.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

27 months ago

I am aware that many physicians still advise 90 days for HIV testing, but it simply is not necessary with the modern AgAb (4th generation) HIV blood tests.

Without a condom, vaginal sex carries roughly one chance in 2,500 of being infected with HIV, if the female has the virus. With a condom, the average risk is 100 times lower, i.e. around one chance in 250,000. If there is a 1% chance your female partner has HIV, then with a condom the chance you will be infected is around one chance in 25 million. That means zero risk for all practical purposes.

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27 months ago

Thank you Dr. Hunter appreciate your response, just to make sure with a condom the risk will be virtually zero, so no need for testing if you had a recent negative test before the relation that I described.

Really appreciate your reply doctor, hope we have a physician like you in our country.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

27 months ago

No need for testing after any single exposure, correct. However, if you have repeated exposures, I would still advise testing from time to time, like maybe once a year.

Thanks for your thanks. I'm glad to have helped. However, please note that repeated questions on the same topic are discouraged. Thanks for your understanding. Best wishes and stay safe.

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