Question
I am undetectable, having condomless sex with my partner. Is transmission unlikely?
6 October 2014. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, Sero different couples.
I am a gay man diagnosed with HIV. I’m on meds and have been undetectable since starting, I’ve never missed a dose of medication. Over the past year I have had condomless anal intercourse at least 2-3 times a week with a negative 28 year old.
I have always been the receptive partner with him. He is circumcised. No STDs. He has not tested yet. Am I correct in thinking transmission extremely unlikely under these circumstances?
Answer
Hi,
Thank you for your enquiry and allowing us to post in on our website
You are correct in thinking transmission is unlikely. Â A recent study called PARTNER looked at the risks of sexual transmission when one partner was positive. The positive partner had an undetectable viral load. There where no transmissions on over 44,500 occasions when unprotected sex took place. On over 21,000 occasions this was anal sex. This does not mean transmission is impossible, just that it is very unlikely.
The fact he has been the insertive partner, and is circumcised also further reduces the risk of transmission. There is never any harm in testing of course but from what you have written the chance of it being a positive result is very low.
You can find information about the PARTNER study on our website.
As well as general information about risks of sexual transmission.
Hi,
It is great that you are thinking about getting pregnant.
The fact you are on treatment should mean that you can conceive naturally. This means by having unprotected sex. Your viral load has to be undetectable though. You can ask your doctor or clinic if they have viral load testing available.
You can find more information about getting pregnant here:
http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy/planning
I am a female on meds how do i get preg at home