What is the risk?

[starlet1]

Hi,

I was hoping one of the experts could asses a theoretical risk for me.

About a year ago I had sex for the first time (with a condom of course). I am a female and since I was a virgin I bled quite a bit. I know that you will most likely say "there was no risk" since a condom was used. But the thing is, I dont know if it was used "correctly". What I am asking is if by any chance semen leaked out of the condom and since I was a virgin so I would have had a lot of tears on my hymen in those first few times, would hiv+ semen coming into contact with those types of wounds be a cause of worry?

I have a reason for asking by the way. I actually havent thought about it until recently when I found out the symptoms of acute HIV infection was. You see, I actually remember about 3 weeks after the first time I had sex I was hit with the worst case of sickness I had ever had. Within a week I lost about 6kg, I didnt eat for a few days and spent most of the time in my bed because I was horribly fatigued. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with tonsillitis. And the only reason I remember this bout of illness was because I had never come down with anything like it before. And recently learning that acute HIV infection usually comes around 2-4 weeks after HIV exposure makes me wonder if it was not just a normal case of tonsillitis.

So pretty much my question is if by any chance that HIV+ pre-cum or semen got in contact with the type of wounds that a female has when she has sex for the first time, is it a cause for concern? I know that semen coming into contact with say, a wound on your hand is not a risk of HIV because it is outside of the body, but if it is around the entrance of the inside of the body is it the same risk?

Thankyou.

[Ann]

Star,

Semen does not "leak" out of a condom unless it has burst, and a burst condom is VERY noticeable. You have not had a risk of hiv infection while having protected intercourse.

You need to be aware that tonsillitis can be VERY severe in adults. You were diagnosed with tonsillitis, and tonsillitis is what you had.

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.

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

[Andy Velez]

The bottom line after all of that is that you are worrying needlessly. A condom was used for intercourse which is exactly what you are supposed to do. They provide very effective protection. As for "leakage" of semen, it just doesn't happen that way. It stays in the part of the condom covering the penis.

Your flu or whatever you had a few weeks later was coindiental. You are worrying needlessly and there is no need for testing. Really.

[starlet1]

Thankyou for your prompt replies.

After some googling, people are universally saying that when a condom does break, it is very obvious. I guess I am just over-worrying as usual.

The time you volunteer here helping people with their HIV worries is very appreciated. God bless.

[Andy Velez]

You're welcome. Get on with your life and just make sure you're always using condoms for intercourse.

Cheers.