Question
Is it possible to have sex with someone with HIV and not catch the virus?
5 June 2007 • Related: All topics, HIV transmission
Answer
Yes. HIV is a much less infectious virus than many other sexually transmitted infections. The risk for becoming infected varies depending on many factors including the type of exposure you have , whether the other person is HIV-positive, how high or low their viral load is, the duration and roughness of the sex etc.
Risk factors for penetrative sex without a condom with someone who has a high viral load could be as high as 1 in 10 (10% risk). Some studies have suggested that the risk could be as only 1 in 3,000 (0.03%) or lower still, with someone who is taking treatment and who has an undetectable viral load.
Risk assessment is difficult though, because say the risk is 1 in 100, then 99 people will be fine, but you could be the one who is unlucky. Or you could think 1 in 100 is a low risk, and but catch HIV-positive the first time that you have any exposure.
Answer: Simon Collins
Comments
pepper • 17 July 2007 10:47 pm
My wife was diagnosed on June 14 with HIV+ because she was pregnant. At the begining of our relationship we used protection but after getting married in May 2006 we never used protection.
In June 2007 when we found that she was HIV+ we stopped having sex. Now we always use protection.
In November 2006 I tested negative, and after we found that she was HIV+, I was tested again. My test came back negative again.
My question is ‘What are the chances for me to catch the virus?’
Simon Collins • 20 July 2007 12:11 pm
Because your wife is HIV+ there is always a chance you could still catch HIV if you do not use protection. Using protection will stop you from becoming infected.
andy • 31 March 2010 2:37 am
You said that with a high viral load the statistical chances of being infected can range up to 10%; you also mentioned that a high risk encounter grapples around the one percentile (1 out of 100). If I bottomed for an HIV-positive person with a high viral load without him having ejaculated within me, around where would you estimate my chances would be of contracting the virus?
Winnie Sseruma • 7 April 2010 2:35 pm
The information that you are referring to was purely an estimate because there is a lack of data. There is a high risk of transmission with any unprotected sex with an HIV positive person with a high viral load.