Circumcision and vl 20

[Forgiven82]

Hi!

So im wondering, what is all this i hear about circumcision in heterosexual couples? Im negative and my boy friend is positive and he is not circumcised. His last bloods 2 weeks ago came back at 20 vl and cd4 was 224. We have been told that he is well medicated and if we drop the condom the chance of me getting infected is nit likely. Last bloods in june were un detectable.  Does anyone know why it goes up and down with VL? And is it so that he should be circumsized to not infect me? We have been dropping the condom on several occasions. And no Prep is not available here in norway! :-) thanks!!

[wolfter]

Studies have been done and the results were insufficient.  The issue of cicrumcision is that it was/is believed by some that an uncirumcised male could more easily acquire HIV.  It has nothing to do with his partner's potential for acquiring it.

A vl of 20 is still basically UD.  It's all about the sensitivity of the test.  UD does not mean a 0 vl. 

[Almost2late]

Studies have been done and the results were insufficient.  The issue of cicrumcision is that it was/is believed by some that an uncirumcised male could more easily acquire HIV.

This is interesting.. I, being an uncut male have "acquired" hiv from unprotected sex with a female.. I had to google this one ..

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/research/malecircumcision/

   * Male circumcision reduces the risk that a man will acquire HIV from an infected female partner, and also lowers the risk of other STDs , penile cancer, and infant urinary tract infection.

   * For female partners, male circumcision reduces the risk of cervical cancer, genital ulceration, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and HPV. Although male circumcision has risks including pain, bleeding, and infection, more serious complications are rare

 

[wolfter]

She was inquiring about an increased risk for HIV for HER in regards to him not being cirumcised. 

[mecch]

1)  Does anyone know why it goes up and down with VL?
2) And is it so that he should be circumsized to not infect me?
3) We have been dropping the condom on several occasions. And no Prep is not available here in norway! :-) thanks!!

1) I dont understand the question. Why what goes up and down?

2) what Wolfter said. The state of his penis - cut or uncut - doesn't mean anything if he is undetectable.  Did some doctor tell you otherwise?  Would be interesting if you share the info your doctor has given you.

3) since we are not doctors you are just getting answers based on some people with a lot of experience.  So again did your doctors give you the OK to go ahead without condoms or not?    Also, what Wolfter said.  Supposedly the risk of transmission is "near 0" but no doctor wants to come out and say 0 of course.

Also - I think its recommended to wait until the HIV+ treated person is undetectable quite a long time, so not a matter of months but consistently undetectable for over a year at least.

[BKKKevin]

"Although male circumcision has risks including pain, bleeding..."

#nuffsaid

[Forgiven82]

Hi! And thank you for all your answers.
1) my question was why does the virus load go up snd down? Some months he is undetectable and some months its a load of 20, 30 ect

2) his doc has not said anything about being cut or not. I just had a general question.

3) yes his doc has said we can drop the condom if we are free from all other stds and in a monogamous relationship.  And his virus load is undetectable or even at 20 as it was 2 weeks ago. He is at a check up every 12 weeks.

I am aware that there might not be doctors here, but there are alot of smart people who are long term survivors and have alot of insight so i feel like asking here is pretty okay. I do still ask the doctor but tjings come up along the way :-) thanks again you all. Its been helpfull :-)

[mecch]

There are different possibilities why someone might cycle between "UD" and a VL like 20.  Different labs, vagaries of testing, particular moment blood is drawn.
20 is for most purposes "undetectable" and we can assume your doc considered 20 or 30 undetectable because he/she gave the Ok to abandon condoms.