Q and A

Question

If I have unprotected sex with other HIV positive people will I get resistance?

15 January 2017. Related: All topics, HIV reinfection (superinfection), HIV transmission, Resistance.

Hi,

I’m a HIV positive gay male aged 27, infected and diagnosed three years ago. I am currently healthy with a CD4 count of 560 and a viral load of 35,000 and not yet on any medication.

I’ve been scared to sleep with other positive men through fear of catching treatment resistant strains or worse. I am a passive partner and I’m afraid my question does relate to unprotected sex. I am aware of the risks associated therein, afterall it got me in this situation!

I would like to know if I were to sleep with a HIV positive guy, is it better for me if he is on meds and undetectable or would that put me more at risk of developing resistance?

Now I can ‘sero-sort’ I’d like to know what’s likely to be the safest way to prevent my situation getting any worse, be it developing drug resistance, superinfection or other hard to treat infections?

I am also immunised against hepatitis B. Am I truly safe against this if I were to unknowingly come into contact with it?

Many thanks

Answer

Answer: Charlotte Walker

Thank you for your question.

Having an undetectable viral load on treatment will be better both for you and your partner.

This is because the meds also stop HIV from being transmitted. Even if your partner has drug resistance, and undetectable viral load means HIV won’t be transmitted.

Even though your CD4 count is still strong above 500, treatment guidelines still recommend treatment (ART) for your own health too.

This article explains why U=U (undetectable viral load = untransmittable HIV).
https://i-base.info/htb/32308

The HBV vaccine is also very effective. Your doctor will check you have a good immune response after your vaccination. This protectional usually lasts for at least five years but your doctor can also check this in can you need a booster in the future.

For any further information or if you need any support then please do not hesitate to contact us on the treatment information helpline (Mon-Wed 12-4pm)

The information in this answer was updated in January 2017 from a post in May 2010. Please see: Question 9 at this link for more information.

113 comments

  1. Sive •

    Both my partner and I are HIV positive, can we have sex?

  2. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Lisa,

    No one can force someone to have a HIV test, nor take meds. This is something that people will do in their own time. Just try and talk to him, and explain the benefits of knowing.

  3. lisa •

    yes am concernd that he will become ill and that he does not know his status

  4. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Lisa,

    What do you mean by defaulting? Are you concerned that he could become ill because he’s not on meds?

  5. lisa •

    I’m HIV positive and on meds. My partner does not want to take meds, will he be at risk of defaulting anytime soon?

  6. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Yala,

    I’m sorry to hear about your experience. Have you been able to talk to anyone about this?

    Because you don’t know the status of the person who forced themselves upon you, I would advise that you test for HIV as well as all over STIs.

  7. Yala •

    I’m deepak .. one of my friend forcibly fucked me without condoms .. I got a little pain .. and also he leaves his load in my mouth and I’m unable to spit it out forcibly, I was swallowed .. I’m getting tensed if I will get any thing risk like HIV..

  8. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Christopher,

    Please see here:

    http://i-base.info/qa/10823

  9. Christopher •

    What happens if a person on ARVs sleeps with someone who is HIV positive and not on treatment?

  10. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Bianca,

    If a persons viral load is undetectable the risk of transmission is close to zero. Please see the results of the PARTNER study for more info:

    http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/