What Are The Chances Of HIV Transmission Through Protected Sex?

Posted on Sun, 30 Aug 2015

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

Sun, 30 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I had an episode where I had vaginal sex with condom with a lady of unknown HIV status. During this I pulled out and was masturbated by the lady using the same hand with which she removed the condom, which means she had vaginal fluids on her hand. I am really tensed now. What are the chances that I am infected? This happened just 3 days back. When is the earliest I can get a test done to be sure?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Chances of HIV infection are almost nil and please get test done at 30 days

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. I have had many patients who have been in a similar situation as you were in 3 days back.

2. There is almost nil chance of HIV transmission by this method and all those patients have tested negative for HIV in tests done at 30 days, 3 months and 6 months.

3. For peace of mind you might take the HIV rapid 4th generation combo test at 30 days from the incident. This will test for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies and p24 antigen.

Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (21 minutes later)

Dear Sir, Thank you very much for the reassuring answer. I feel relieved. Kindly advise if I can do this test at XXXXXXX or Kochi? Which is a good lab there? I live in the Middle East and this cannot be done here. I am visiting XXXXXXX & Kochi first week of October, Is that a good time to do this test? What is the name of test I should tell at the lab? How long does it take to get the results? How dependable is this test? I know I am probably being paranoid due to this serious lapse of judgement. Suppose the condom had a small tear or crack on it, what are the chances of getting an infection? The lady says she is clean and has been screened for HIV as part of the process for obtaining Residence Permit which, I know, is compulsory. I am getting really tensed. Is there any more tests I have to do after the one in one month time, even if it is negative? Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please find test details below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. It is available in XXXXXXX and Kochi. Please go to a lab which is NABL accredited and there are many such labs in both cities.

2. The name of the test is HIV rapid 4th generation combo test for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies and p24 antigen.

3. The result is given in one to two days.

4. The test is more than 99 percent dependable at 30 days and 100 percent dependable at 6 months.

5. It is probably your imagination that the condom was cracked or there was a tear. I reassure you that many people think this way and this is due to anxiety.

6. If you have any rashes or urinary infection then please get tested for STDs and any possible infection.

7. For HIV the above test is sufficient and recommended internationally including in the US. Therefore you can get this test done in October 2015.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (7 minutes later)

Dear Doctor, thank you for the detailed answer once again. Much appreciated. I will be taking this test in October to put my mind at ease. Meanwhile, is there any symptoms I need to look out for? Any precautions I need to take till I get this test done? Also, should I repeat the same test after 6 months? Thanks in advance.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Same test to be repeated for HIV at 6 months

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Welcome and thanks for writing back with an update.

1. If she was clean and does not have any disease condition then there is no need to worry. Health symptoms particularly important for sexual disease is rashes in the genitals or any discharge from the penis with burning urination. However any health related symptoms requires attention.

2. Precautions are to practice safe sex and with partners whose sexual health is clean.

3. Yes the same test is to be repeated after 4 months. It is a highly reliable test.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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