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Can HIV Be Contracted Through Sexual Intercourse?

Posted on Wed, 18 Mar 2015

Question: I had sex vaginal with a girl of unknow hiv status 1 hour back and she is girl from lower class but she doesn't know her hiv status .I was using a condom but it broke and i felt that so i removed my penis immediately . My penis might have remained inside for 5 seconds then i used another condom and continued for short time.My question is should i use PEP or not?Am i at substantial risk to consider PEP or not?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Test the lady for HIV and be relived of worries

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query
Welcome to Health care magic.

I have gone through the details.
As it is protected intercourse the risk is nil.But there was condom breakage,there is little risk.
The risk for transmission of HIV by unprotected vaginal intercourse with HIV positive woman is 1/200 to 1/1000 .Here it is still low.

You can test the HIV status of the lady and be relived of worries.
I do not see need for pep.
You can get back for clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venerologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (8 minutes later)

Thanks sir for your reply,K sir i will ask the girl to check for it but is there is any side effect if i start using PEP.Also i would like to know whether chances of getting hiv is same for condom break short time exposure compared to usual unprotected vaginal sex?IS PEP completely reliable to use and what are its side effects?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Lesser rate of transmission than unprotected sex.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for follow up query.

You can go ahead with testing the lady.

The chances of HIV transmission wuth condom breakage is still less compared to unprotected Intercourse.

Any drug intake will have side effects.PEP too can have side effects.It may be gastrointestinal , joints or blood etc.
Pep if taken within 3 days is quite reliable.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (2 hours later)

Sir i went to govt hospital and due to timings i dont get medications such as PEP and now i have to go on moday for PEP .Sir i cant find that girl within 2 days and get tested so my option is to go for PEP on monday .Sir is PEP reliable after 48 hours or in other words on monday afternoon if i get it.Or should i not go for PEP as the chances are low as u also told me?Sir advice me on that considering all aspects and today doctor prescribed me ziduvudine 300 ,should i take it?I am worried about it now .

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take pep to relieve your anxiety.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for follow up query.
If you feel she is likely positive or doubtful ,or
If you are still anxious ,you can take pep within 72 hours for it to be effective.
You can take 2 or 3 drug combination.
You can consult your doctor for taking at least 2 drugs .Lamivudine along with zidovudine will be better if going for pep.
You also get her tested to relieve your anxiety.
You can get back for clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (17 days later)

Sir ,as u know my exposure (brief condom broke).After 14 days os exposure i got cold like symptoms running nose,mucus in throat,mild fatigue but no fever and whenever i checked it was below 99F .And after 4 days it cleared .Sir i want know whether this resembles the ARS or not? I know that testing is the proper method to check but now only 18 days have passed so i think its of no use and i am feeling anxious.So my question is can these symptoms be due to ARS and clearing within 4 days signals common cold or not?What does statistics say about brief vaginal exposure about hiv?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
HIV risk almost nil.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for follow up query.

The symptoms are non specific and are not related to ARS. It can be due to any simple viral infection. You can allay fears of HIV.
The chances of HIV is almost nil. Don't get too much anxiety about this.
Like I said the statistics with unprotected vaginal intercourse with HIV positive woman is 1/200 to 1/1000. Here it is still low. But I am not aware of study where it was done for 5 minute exposure. Such studies are not done. So please do not worry about that.
You can go for HIV 1&2 RNA PCR at this stage to relieve your anxiety.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta