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Can Unprotected Sex With HIV Positive Person On Antiretroviral Drugs Lead To HIV?

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Posted on Tue, 1 Apr 2014
Question: hi can I be infected by hiv if I have unprotected sex with hiv positive person but taking limovudine and zidovudine
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Answered by Dr. Praveen G (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Yes, there may be chance of getting HIV Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic, As you had unprotected sex with HIV positive person who is on antiretroviral drugs, the chance of getting HIV by sexual contact is based on virological factors, such as viral load. Antiretroviral drugs helps to keep the virus under control and lowers viral load levels to undetectable levels. An undetectable viral load does not mean HIV is not present in the body and in other bodily fluids. It simply means that viral load is so low that the test is unable to measure it and risk of transmission to the partner will be less. If your partner as started the treatment early it may reduce the viral load in the blood but still risk of transmitting the disease to the partner through sexual activity will be there. Unless we know the what is the viral load of your partner, we cannot tell whether he can transmit the infection to you or not even though he is on treatment. Hope I have cleared doubts associated with HIV transmissibility, still if you have any further query feel free to post them. Thank you.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Praveen G

Infectious Diseases Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 2448 Questions

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Can Unprotected Sex With HIV Positive Person On Antiretroviral Drugs Lead To HIV?

Brief Answer: Yes, there may be chance of getting HIV Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic, As you had unprotected sex with HIV positive person who is on antiretroviral drugs, the chance of getting HIV by sexual contact is based on virological factors, such as viral load. Antiretroviral drugs helps to keep the virus under control and lowers viral load levels to undetectable levels. An undetectable viral load does not mean HIV is not present in the body and in other bodily fluids. It simply means that viral load is so low that the test is unable to measure it and risk of transmission to the partner will be less. If your partner as started the treatment early it may reduce the viral load in the blood but still risk of transmitting the disease to the partner through sexual activity will be there. Unless we know the what is the viral load of your partner, we cannot tell whether he can transmit the infection to you or not even though he is on treatment. Hope I have cleared doubts associated with HIV transmissibility, still if you have any further query feel free to post them. Thank you.