unprotected sex and meds

[aferstilo]

Hi everyone as always thanks for all the responses.. i had a question.. My hubby starting atriplia in a week and i was wondering since i dont need meds could i become resistant to that med if we continue having unprotected sex what are the dangerous?

[John2038]

Cases of HIV transmission have been reported while undetectable.
In others words, if you are having differents strains, each of you can become superinfected.
This happen to around 5%-10% of the people having a stable relationship as far as I remember.
Becoming superinfected might represent a risk to progress faster.
When this happen, a big drop might be observed in the CD4 count if I am not wrong.

If one or both partners are on meds, and if one day one of the partner will develop resistances, the others might get them as well.
The STDs can also be transmitted.
You may want to read about the Swiss Statement. It's the same debate.

John

[Ann]

afers,

If your partner is not resistant to any meds, he can't pass resistance on to you. My partner is on the same combo and I don't take any meds yet, just like you. We do not use condoms and I have absolutely NO fears about superinfection. (aka re-infection. The super in superinfection is super as in superimposed, not super-duper.)

I don't know where John got his 5-10% figures from - I've NEVER seen those figures in relation to a committed relationship. Please note that John has a disclaimer in his signature line that says "Take my postings with a grain of salt." I take his postings with a whole salt shaker.

As long as you two are in a securely monogamous relationship and you're both poz, there's not a lot of reason to use condoms. If either of you have fuck-buddies outside your relationship, then you run the risk of introducing other, more easily transmitted sexually transmitted infections into the mix. I've said it before in the forums and I'll say it again - poz on poz rocks!

Ann



edited late for a glaring typo

[newt]

what Ann said

(Ann, Stephen Fry should've really had you in his programme)

- matt

[alberche]

There are no sudies on this question, only data coming from serodiscordant (one HIV- other HIV+)or seroconcordant (both HIV+) real couples that have managed well when viral loads are undetectable and no condoms are used.

Nevertheless, as far as we can read here and there, this subject is yet to be largely discused... and studies are not likely to be done as easy as we can imagine due to some evident ethical issues involved.

I think that also the kind of sexuality (I mean, concrete practices) and the general health status, treatment adherence and so on play an important role in making this more risky or less risky. I think each couple should evaluate this deeply before taking steps to put condoms out of their sexual lifes.

And, of course, this could work only if, with people other than the partner, as Ann remarks, one is commited to practice only safer sex. Not only a new HIV strand, but a STD, an HepC or any ohter condition could be even a bigger concern than a HIV re-infection or superinfection itself in the mid-long term.

 

[Ann]

what Ann said

(Ann, Stephen Fry should've really had you in his programme)

- matt

I think my segment with Mr Fry is still lurking on the BBC website somewhere.

It is still there. Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/tv_and_radio/hivandme_index.shtml and click on the stories link.

But thanks! ~blush~ They sent me the whole uncut (mmm... uncut... but I digress) interview right after my LTR broke up in Nov 07 and I wasn't in the right head-space to watch it then. I still haven't watched it - must dig it out someday. There's one bit I remember where I told Mr Fry off when he came out with one of those blatantly mythical statements about hiv and straight men - that they MUST have had sex with another man to end up positive. I actually wagged my finger in his face and set him right. I'll have to figure out how to put that bit on You Tube.

Sorry about the brief hijack, aferstilo!


Ann

[LordBerners]

Alas, link doesn't work for me, Ana.  Says its expired..

[BM]

Bits of the Stephen Fry documentary (alas, not all of it) are available on Google Video.

My partner is positive and undetectable, as am I. I am resistant to his drugs. Condoms are a must, right?

[mudman8]

I talked with my Dr last year after contracting another STD.  I said if I mention condom 9 out of 10 would say no.  Even my most favorite play buddy doesn't want one. sigh!  Dr said if both of you are undetectable there is very little transmission and he understood that BB sex was better.  BUT he said the illegal stuff like speed et al is a natural immune suppressor and their viral loads are raging and mutating.

I think it's up to individuals, you can only go so far at being ascetic.  15 years ago another Dr literally wanted me to be wrapped in latex for ANY contact.  Sorry can't be that extreme.  Lots of my friends gave up drinking etc   I like a glass or two or a pot high and listen to music.