High exposure+encouragement

[cobiz]

Hi everyone, I believe that this is important to share with you for those who might be frightened of bieng infected after a high risk exposure. Recently I had sexual encounter with a woman who tested hiv a few weeks later. We used condoms but unfortunately they got damaged three times. During this time the woman was waiting for her results and immediately after testing positive I also went for a test. This was four weeks after the first exposure and two weeks after the last exposure. I tested negative but still as many of you know I still I have to wait for the 12 weeks to conclude.

Prior to this exposure I had tested myself roughly 7 months ago and the results were also negative. What is interesting is that, I met this woman after she had been in a relationship with another man for a period of more than a year in which they never used condoms and also had intensive sex. She informed the former boyfriend of her hiv status and the man also went for a test. Fortunately, the results came out this week and they were negative. The woman also had some unprotected encounter with a guy prior and during the period with her former boyfriend and the man is yet to tested.

So the point is this, it's really true that a high exposure can be survived and thus I would advice many of us to take the courage and test themselves not matter the risk encountered. I hope I will test negative again in 12 weeks and live my life more carefully.

[Morgan]

Cobiz,

What this illustrates is that women do not infect men with the same ease or frequency that men infect women.  The receptive partner has the greatest risk.

Morgan

[cobiz]

Morgan, this perception is what is now slowly sinking in my head. But still, it's very unbelievable that after one year of intensive sex with a pos, somebody can still survive hiv contraction. This is why I feel that this is really something encouraging to those who might be exposed especially men. Let's test ourselves as there could be some miracle and a second chance when it comes to hiv infection!

[Morgan]

Cobiz,

Actually, it happens more often than you think.  HIV is a very fragile virus.  It is not easily transmitted.  Especially from a woman to a man.  I have heard of many relationships that have gone on for over a year where one is poz and one neg (unknowingly), and transmission fails to occur.  Our own moderator, Ann, can speak from personal experience about this.

Morgan

[cobiz]

Ann, could you please shade some light on this topic. I think there is a lot to do with this when it comes to what we call hope and pysche (sp).

[Morgan]

Cobiz,

Since Ann has shared this in the forum before, I can tell you that she was with her partner for (I believe) a year and a half before she got her diagnosis.  He remains negative to this day. 

I don't want this to translate to any kind of endorsement of the inconsistent use of proper protection for penetrative sex.  It is a significant risk for both the insertive and receptive partner and shouldn't go overlooked.

Morgan

[Morgan]

By the way Cobiz,

Condom breakage should be a rare event when used properly.  Check out the condom and lube links in Ann's signature line..... there's good info there.

Morgan

[cobiz]

Morgan, I know that codoms don't easily break especially the latex condoms. And it's even good that you brought up this topic. The condoms that I used and teared off were from a guy who was doing some sort of AIdS awareness here in Europe and I got them for free. I swear to God I will never get condoms for free fom anybody and it's also my advice to everyone to buy the recommended condoms by themselves. May be I did'nt use them correctly but with the latex condoms whether correctly or incorrectly used, they never tear off easily. 

Regards

[Morgan]

Cobiz,

I'm not sure I understand..... are you saying that the condoms only broke when you were removing them?

If they were intact during intercourse, you had no risk.

Morgan

[cobiz]

Morgan, I think you swayed off, the condoms teared off while I was still in. What I mean is that everyone should take the responsibility to have the right condoms. Don,t just pick up condoms for free from nobody that's my point. This is actually costing me my life?

Regards

[Morgan]

Cobiz,

It sounds like you were protected most of the time.  Even considering the fact that she is hiv positive, your risk is still relatively low.  Don't get ahead of yourself. I would be very surprised if you were to become infected from what you have described.

Morgan

[Ann]

Cobiz,

It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread. Normally, I'd lock this one so you could return to your original thread, but since you and Morgan have already had such an extensive conversation, I'll leave this one unlocked. Please keep all your addition posts in this thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines.

Thank you for your cooperation.

It is true that hiv is a fragile, difficult to transmit virus and more so from a woman to a man. And yes, my partner and I were together for eighteen months before we knew I was positive and started using condoms. It's nearly seven years later and we're still together and he is still hiv negative.

As you always used condoms, I would fully expect you to continue to test negative, despite the fact that you had three condoms break on you. It is rare for a man to become infected with hiv through a condom break while having vaginal intercourse.

Ann