Question
Can I have sex with someone who is positive and not catch HIV?
16 January 2018. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
Answer
Yes, there are lots of ways to make sure HIV is not transmitted during sex.
- One of the easiest and most effective ways is just for the HIV positive partner to be on treatment. An undetectable viral load makes HIV untransmittable. (See: The evidence for U=U).
- Another relatively recent option is for the negative partner to use PrEP. This is an oral drug that when taken as prescribed is highly effective. (See: UK guide to PrEP).
- You can use condoms which are an effective barrier against HIV (and other STIs). Condoms need to be used carefully, preferably with plenty of lube. (See: How to use a condom (male and female).
HIV is a much less infectious virus than many other sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).
Even without a condom, the risk from a single exposure is less than, for example, 1 in 300. The actual risk becoming infected varies depending on many factors. These include the type of exposure, whether the other person is HIV positive, how high or low their viral load is, the duration and roughness of the sex etc.
If the partner is HIV positive, then viral load is the most important factor. The PARTNER study reported zero HIV transmissions after 900 couples had sex more than 58,000 times WITHOUT condoms. In this study undetectable viral load was defined as being less than 200 copies/mL.
https://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study
Risk factors for penetrative sex without a condom with someone who has a very high viral load could be as high as 1 in 10 (10% risk). But the risk is effectively zero with someone who is taking treatment and who has an undetectable viral load.
This question was updated in January 2018 and November 2016 from an original answer posted in June 2007. i-Base no longer answers individual questions about HIV transmission and risk. (See: Question 1 at this link).
I had anal intercourse with a condom that did not break and my partner said they were clean. Although I feel I’m at risk for HIV. Am I?
Unfortunately we don’t have the resources to answer more questions about transmission and testing. This information service is about HIV treatment for people who are HIV positive.
Most questions about transmission and testing have been answered here:
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
I just wonder that if a woman has HIV, and men have sex like one or two times, will they get HIV?
We no longer answer questions about transmission and testing. This information service is about HIV treatment for people who are HIV positive.
Most questions about transmission and testing have been answered here:
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
I drank too much in the pub and had sex with a girl with a condom. Any chance getting HIV? I don’t know if the girl is HIV positive or not
Hi I need urgent help. I mistakenly had unprotected sex with some guy whom I am not sure of his HIV status. I dont know whether he has it or not. I happened to have two rounds of sex with him and that was all. Please although I dont know his status, but since it was unprotected, am i likely to get infected?
This Q&A service is not for questions about HIV testing or the risks of transmission.
If you have a question about catching HIV, risks or testing please read this page on HIV transmission and testing. It will answer most questions:
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
I drank too much in the pub and had sex with a girl without a condom. Any chance getting HIV? I don’t know if the girl is HIV positive or not.
Hi,
HIV is not easy to get. So even if your partner is HIV positive, you might not be. But it’s important to get checked if you’re worried that you’re at risk.
Hi, I slept with a lady once, who slept with a guy who is HIV positive. Will I also be positive?