How long does the virus last in air.

[whatshouldido]

Hello all,

4.5 weeks ago I have my first sex with a female. It was protected but I am curious about how HIV would transmit in my case. I have been reading on this forum and I appreciate what you guys do to educate people on HIV transmission/risks.

1. She gave me oral with condom on. I don't think there is a risk here.
2. We tried vaginal sex with condom on but I wasn't erect so the girl took the condom off to give me a handjob. I don't think there is a risk here as well.
3. I put the same condom back on and had vaginal sex. Condom was intact when we finished. Normally if I skipped step 2 I thought this step would be low risk as well, but in this case since the same condom was used I am concerned if this is a risk. Seems like the virus is very fragile in open space and I am just overthinking things. Would the risk increase if I had put the condom on backwards by accident?

Symptoms wise, other than a mild sore throat and some tiny non-itchy red spots in my back in the first two weeks and a dull headache that worsens with colder weather I felt alright. I think my anxiety was playing a big role here since I didn't ask her what her status was. I went to the doctor just before the two week period was over and I tested negative, but I am planning on going back for the 6th week and the 3 months tests because it is probably too early to tell.

Reading through the forum gave me hope because no matter what the outcome would be there is always a path moving forward. Thank you all for what you do here.

[Jim Allen]

Relax, you had no HIV exposure from what you posted here, no need to test for HIV over this, just move on with your life.

1.
Getting your penis sucked even without a condom would not be a HIV risk, saliva is not HIV infectious, it also contains over a dozen elements that neutralize HIV. Let me put it this way after 40 years in terms of BJ's there hasn’t been a single documented case of HIV transmission to an insertive partner (the person being "sucked") and you will not be the first.

2.
HIV is fragile and sexually only transmitted inside the confides of the human body as in never leaving it or being exposed outside the body. Hence nobody has been infected sexually by fluids once exposed outside the confides of the body.

3.
Few barrier to this concern but the main one being that HIV is incredibly fragile does not remain infectious outside the human body, once hiv finds itself exposed outside the body, small changes in temperature, pH / moisture levels all damage the receptors needed to infect human cells rendering it unable to infect. This is so much the case that nobody has sexually ever been infected with HIV once its exposed outside the confides of the body to the environment, you will not be the worlds first.

I didn't ask her what her status was.

Its a pointless question if you ask me to even consider. Trendy to ask perhaps but irreverent. See firstly her status is irrelevant as you simply had no risk from this encounter and besides that if she tested today and said she was negative all it would mean is she was negative some 3 months ago. ... so totally pointless.

I put the same condom back on and had vaginal sex

[/b]

Just on condoms, its simple HIV simply can not transmit through the intact latex or polyurethane barrier and most condom simply fail due to incorrect usage or care. (User error). When they fail during intercourse its obvious, without doubt as in they shred.

Your condom did not fail however how you used it increased the odds that it could have lead to the condom failing, and if it had been used for intercourse beforehand it does exposure you to easier to transmit and far less fragile STI's. All in all you need to start using condoms correctly.

So what is correct usage? Well this includes, making sure that whatever the type of condom being used, you only use approved condoms. In other words check for certification mark (FDA, CE, ISO or Kitemark etc.). This means it complies with safety standards. Check the expiry date and make sure the condom is still in date.

When using condoms use lubricant, condom safe water-based lubricants this makes condoms more comfortable and also reduces the risk of breakage. – but avoid oil-based lubricants as they can weaken or break condoms.

As for putting condom on correctly, if incorrectly done it increases the risk of breakage.  Place one on top of the erect penis and pinch the teat at the end of the condom before you start to roll it down the penis. By doing this you’ll squeeze out any air bubbles and ensure there is room for the semen (cum).Roll the condom down to the base of the penis.

If it's on correctly it will roll downwards easily. If you've started putting it on the wrong way or you’re not sure then take it off and try again. Even if you have not   ejaculated (cum) there can still be semen (pre-cum), so it’s important to try again with a new condom. (This is mainly due to other easier to transmit STI's and if with a cis-woman pregnancy risks)

Finally if you are changing the sex act, than change the condom. 

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider starting PrEP as an additional layer of protection against HIV

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as ‘safe’ in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

More information on HIV Basics, PEP, TaSP and Transmission can be found through the links in my signature to our POZ pages, this includes information on HIV Testing

Kind regards

Jim

Please Note.
As a member of the AM I Infected Forum you are required to only post in this one thread no matter how long between visits or the subject matter. You can find this thread by going to your profile and selecting show own post and it will take you here . It helps us to help you when you keep all your thoughts or questions in one thread and it helps other readers to follow the discussion. Any additional threads will be deleted.