Can HIV Be Contracted Through Protected Sex?

Posted on Tue, 26 Apr 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 Answered on

Sat, 11 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I had sex with someone 2 years ago with someone adopted from XXXXXXX We used a condom for vaginal sex, no oral. He did not ejaculate inside me. After researching, I've found that people with HIV are less likely to pass on the virus if they are on ART. I assume if he had HIV he would have been treated from when he was adopted as a small child.
How high risk am I? I am so anxious

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Very low risk

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I can understand why you would be concerned, but since you used a condom, your risk is very low.

If you need reassurance, you can go in for an HIV test now as after 2 years it would be highly accurate.

But you are unlikely to have contracted HIV from protected vaginal sex with a condom. And after 2 years if you had HIV you would likely have had some symptoms.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (7 minutes later)

Thank you. I have ordered an at home HIV test as I know staff at my doctors surgery personally. I did have a really sore throat the summer I slept with him and I have recently been experience night sweats but I'm unsure if thats from the stress or worrying

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Good plan

Detailed Answer:
Taking a home HIV test is a good plan.

When the results come back negative, sometimes it takes people a bit of mental/emotional work to believe the results and then put it out of their minds. So rather than preparing yourself for what you will do if the results come back positive (which is very unlikely), prepare yourself for what you will think if the results come back negative. I know that sounds odd, but I have seen many people persist in worrying.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (34 minutes later)

What if I have recently experienced a rash on my stomach that wasn't itchy? Could this be a symptom or is it too far on for that to be a symptom?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not likely to be from HIV

Detailed Answer:
Sometimes there can be a rash in the first month after exposure, but at this point, I would not expect this rash to be from HIV.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar