Re-use condoms

[theseeker]

Hi there,

In a spat of foolishness and high due to intoxication, I had re-used condoms in a 3somes.

I may have used condom used by the other guy while inserting the guys, and he could have inserted me using condom he had used to top the other guy.  The condoms we reused were left on the floor like from 3mins to 30mins.

The condoms did not break or failed.  What is my risk of HIV infection?

[RapidRod]

HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.

[Andy Velez]

While you were lucky this time because the condoms did not break, in general re-using condoms is not a good idea. The possibility of breakage is hire when re-used.

Having said that you were not at risk for HIV transmission in the situations you have described. HIV is a fragile virus and when exposed to the air it quickly becomes non-viable.

Also, it is never a good idea to indulge in casual sex when you are drinking too much. It definitely leaves you less likely to practice safer sex. Have all the anal sex you want to and with whomever you like. But do it the safer way: sober and with a fresh condom each time for whoever is the penetrative partner. No exceptions.

I don't see any need for testing for HIV in relation to this incident. Other STDs are much easier to acquire than HIV. So we do advise anyone who is sexually active to at least once a year have a full STD panel done.

[theseeker]

Thanks RR and Andy.

I know i am not required to test from this incident. 

However, may i also ask if taking Dexamethasone will produce a false negative result?

I came down with this acute throat infection with high fever (39C)from 29 Spet 2011.  The fever breaks on 3 October but the ulcers in the throat only cleared around 9 October.

During this throat ulcers infection, ENT doctor gave me Dexamethsone 4mg from 2-5 October, 2mg from 6-11 October, 0.5mg from 11- 15 October.

Will the medication delay the detectable antibodies? As vast majority will have enough detectable antibodies in 6 weeks after incident, will my test result this morning cover incidents 6 weeks ago?

Thankk you

[theseeker]

Sorry forget to mentioned that i went for the test as a annual rountine check.

[Ann]

Seeker,

No, taking Dexamethasone will not delay seroconversion nor produce a false negative result.

As previously stated, you did not have a risk for hiv infection. Re-using condoms only carries the risk of breakage. Yours did not break, so you had no risk.

Make sure you buy your own condoms when going out to parties. You can have as much sex as you want with as many people as you want, just so long as you are making sure you're using condoms and using them correctly.

It's good to hear that you tested as a matter of ROUTINE. That's exactly what you're supposed to be doing, so kudos to you.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED FURTHER HIV TESTING AT THIS TIME, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann