POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => Positive Women => Topic started by: yipiee on May 15, 2010, 11:37:40 am

Title: Can HIV+ woman get different virus from HIV+man?
Post by: yipiee on May 15, 2010, 11:37:40 am
OK, maybe this is silly...  I am newly diagnosed, so please bear with me :)
I have heard that there are different 'strains' of HIV.  It seems to me, most folk seem to have the attitude that if you are intimate with another pos person, then there isn't a risk.  Heck, you both have HIV, right?  But if there are different strains, what are the possibilities of complicating ones health status?

I know I know, use a condom, and I would when and if I get to that stage...  but I want to know the risks.  As I go forth into the world of "dating" (Aarrrgghhh!)

I don't want to find myself unwittingly making choices that complicate my health any more than it already is.  knowledge is power.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Can HIV+ woman get different virus from HIV+man?
Post by: yipiee on May 16, 2010, 03:50:37 am
wow, not a single responce?
Is it because no one knows the answer, or that it is a ridiculous question?

I will ask my Dr when I go back in July, but I would have really liked discussion... hmmm. Guess I have to assume it is possible.

Oh, well.
Title: Re: Can HIV+ woman get different virus from HIV+man?
Post by: TabooPrincess on May 16, 2010, 07:18:08 am
I think more the point is that if they're taking meds and you're not (or the other way around) then problems could arise with resistance.  My boyfriend is taking meds and not taking them very religiously tbh and I'm not on any meds - the docs have told us to be careful to use condoms incase he becomes resistant to the meds he's taking and then could theoretically pass that resistance/resistant strain onto me.  I think if you're both on meds and undetectable and taking the meds propelry then there's little to be worried about.

Ann knows better about this.
Title: Re: Can HIV+ woman get different virus from HIV+man?
Post by: BT65 on May 16, 2010, 12:03:30 pm
The possibility of getting a "super-infection" is very, very low.  I've had sexual relations with another poz person, sans condoms, and nothing disastrous resulted, except getting the herps.  I'm not the most experienced voice on this issue, however, so maybe once Ann's computer is alright and she's back here regular-like, she can answer this. 
Title: Re: Can HIV+ woman get different virus from HIV+man?
Post by: yipiee on May 16, 2010, 12:17:35 pm
thank you BT65 and Taboo...

Your answers are very helpful, and yes, when Ann is back on, more input would be great as well :)  I am new to the forums, and this has been weighing on my mind.

I was thinking on the lines of a drug resistant strain getting passed from one pos to another.  Turns out the strain I have is resistant to one older drug, so I'm in pretty god shape.

When it comes to intimacy...  there has to be trust.  I mean, it isnt like we carry around our last test results to show our potential partners. LOL  and I am now only going to the Dr quarterly, so I am probably undetectiable, but it wont be confirmed till July, as my last VL was 78.  So still is a crap shoot. 

Feels like russian roulette, and I'm too scared to of making it worse.  I feel fortunate to only have hiv.. weid to say, huh?

thanks again for your input.
Title: Re: Can HIV+ woman get different virus from HIV+man?
Post by: Ann on May 16, 2010, 12:33:53 pm
Hi Yippiee, welcome to the forums.

I'm just on a flying visit as I'm at a mate's house, but you don't really need to worry. What you're talking about is usually called re-infection or superinfection. If you put either term into the search box (found in the left-hand column of any forum page), you'll get loads of threads where this subject has been discussed in detail.

The main thing you need to worry about when having unprotected sex with another pozzie is any other STIs they may have.

I'll reply in more detail as soon as I get the chance, probably tomorrow morning.

Ann
Title: Re: Can HIV+ woman get different virus from HIV+man?
Post by: yipiee on May 20, 2010, 02:22:13 am
Ann and all,
I posted info concerning reinfection on a local web support group i am a member of, and was surprised to find out that so many did not have information on the topic. 

Thank you for the clarification.  I was able to dispel off base concepts of a "Super-Virus" created by commingling of HIV strains...

Hopefully I have understood,and conveyed correct info.  Thank you.  Further and up to date info would be great if there is any out there.
Title: Re: Can HIV+ woman get different virus from HIV+man?
Post by: Ann on May 20, 2010, 08:39:21 am
Hi Yipiee,

The super in superinfection is not super as in super-dooper, it's super as in superimposed. One strain of the virus on top of another.

Did you search for some of the threads on this subject, or do you still need more information?
Title: Re: Can HIV+ woman get different virus from HIV+man?
Post by: yipiee on May 20, 2010, 10:30:01 am
yes Ann,
I understood (see message above) and posted an article I found here, in older posts you directed me to.
Thank You