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Can HIV Be Contracted Through Unprotected Intercourse With An HIV Positive Patient?

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Posted on Tue, 5 Jul 2016
Question: Hi,

I recently had protected vaginal intercourse with a person who has had many partners. She told me she has been tested within the last 2 months and also uses protection every time. I believe her. It's just that I am very anxious.
When we had intercourse, we used a condom and as far as I know it did not break. Lubricant was also used. Given these facts, is condom use 100, or close to 100% when talking about only HIV infection? I know it does not protect against other infections that well but I am asking only about HIV. This was about 8 days ago.

My second question is that how accurate are RNA tests? A private clinic where I live told me I can take the test within 9-11 days and it will be 95% or more accurate but I am doubting this claim because I heard that this test can produce many false results. In my case, is there a need to take a test? The regular antibody blood test I need to wait 3 more weeks and still take it again at 3 months I believe, the only problem is this time will be too much anxiety for me. On the other hand, RNA tests seem unreliable from some research that I did even though the clinic claims it is accurate.

Is there a need for a test given the facts? Am I just being too anxious? And if a test is ok to take, which one do you recommend?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Chances of HIV transmission is nil.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query. Iam Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Welcome to health care magic. I have gone through the details and can make out your anxiety.

The chances of transmission of HIV by single unprotected intercourse with a HIV positive person is 1/200 to 1/1000.It is too low.
Condom is very effective in prevention of transmission of HIV though not 100%.So the risk of HIV is almost nullified if used in a proper manner.
So you are at no risk of HIV.Other STDs like herpes can be transmitted by skin to skin contact too.So minor risk will be there for other STDs.

HIV 1&2 RNA PCR is a very sensitive test .It is almost 99% sensitive after 10 days exposure. It means it's detection rate is very good. There can be some false positive results but it help atleast to detect if at all infected with HIV .So you can go for HIV 1&2 RNA PCR after 10 days to relieve your anxiety.

The antibodies tests are considered conclusive after 3 months.
So you can go for HIV 1&2 RNA PCR now followed by antibodies tests after 3 months to have conclusive results.

You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereolgist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti

Dermatologist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 1764 Questions

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Can HIV Be Contracted Through Unprotected Intercourse With An HIV Positive Patient?

Brief Answer: Chances of HIV transmission is nil. Detailed Answer: Hi Thank you for query. Iam Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query. Welcome to health care magic. I have gone through the details and can make out your anxiety. The chances of transmission of HIV by single unprotected intercourse with a HIV positive person is 1/200 to 1/1000.It is too low. Condom is very effective in prevention of transmission of HIV though not 100%.So the risk of HIV is almost nullified if used in a proper manner. So you are at no risk of HIV.Other STDs like herpes can be transmitted by skin to skin contact too.So minor risk will be there for other STDs. HIV 1&2 RNA PCR is a very sensitive test .It is almost 99% sensitive after 10 days exposure. It means it's detection rate is very good. There can be some false positive results but it help atleast to detect if at all infected with HIV .So you can go for HIV 1&2 RNA PCR after 10 days to relieve your anxiety. The antibodies tests are considered conclusive after 3 months. So you can go for HIV 1&2 RNA PCR now followed by antibodies tests after 3 months to have conclusive results. You can get back for any clarification. Thank you Dr Bharatesh D Basti Dermatologist and venereolgist