HIV transmission

[WhyRejectedReg]

Hello, I have few question for you.

1) Many people if not all of those worring about receiving oral, got one from complete stranger or sex worker. It's said, there is no confirmed report. Somewhere I read it need to be verified by taking blood from both parties and test if the particular "viral string? or something like that" is the same in both. I wonder how could they ever possibly confirm that if almost all of those encounters are anonymous.

2) And/or in case of fingering, fisting etc. was hardly the only thing they did - so nobody couldn't confirm that as a source of transmission even if it happens quite often.


3) There is somewhat official statement from Vancouver HIV helpline:
http://helpline.aidsvancouver.org/question/risk-assessment-chart
There is said there actually have been cases of transmission for vaginal sex with condom, under certain conditions. What could they possibly be?


4) Somewhere else I read that suprisingly many people use the condom wrong, which increases the risk greatly. How am I supposed to picture that?


5) INSTI home test
Surfing around I came across some information about INSTI home test. 4 years ago I was sure the negative result is certain unless you got invalid test result. I had minimal risk (protected vaginal, UNprotected oral-a little bit teeth involved, fingering-hangnail) with csw. I did my INSTI hiv home test after 2 and 4 months - both negative. I didn't put myself in any risk after that.

Unfortunately probably all doctors here in central Europe don't trust INSTI home test, though it's free to buy in drug store. Even after long 4 years on the market, the moment they hear I was self-tested (at 2&4 month), they always point me to hospital to get normal test.

Should I listen to them and get a test? They made me worry after all this years. Is there any good reason they don't trust the test? I know some are scared about false positives "suicides" but I was tested negative. Though they all still say the same - Get the regular test in hospital. They make me feel like the test back then was useless. Was it?


6) Since I read this disturbing info about home test, I asked my dermatologist in person what she thinks about home test. She didn't really answer me but told me that by this time I would have often flu or sort of flu problems. I'm having flu like once per year, certainly none past last half a year. And summer sneezing allergy. That's it. Is it something I could really take as assurance?


I'm aware you could say NO RISK in the first place and close the topic but I hope you could at least briefly answer/provide your opinion to all the points. Thank you.

[Jeff G]

1) Many people if not all of those worring about receiving oral, got one from complete stranger or sex worker. It's said, there is no confirmed report. Somewhere I read it need to be verified by taking blood from both parties and test if the particular "viral string? or something like that" is the same in both. I wonder how could they ever possibly confirm that if almost all of those encounters are anonymous.

The only HIV test that matters is your own test that you took at the appropriate time .
Here is a link to our lessons on testing . http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/HIVtests_5029.shtml

2) And/or in case of fingering, fisting etc. was hardly the only thing they did - so nobody couldn't confirm that as a source of transmission even if it happens quite often.

Fingering and fisting are not a risk for HIV unless you had a significant open wound, the kind of wound that would keep you from doing these things .

3) There is somewhat official statement from Vancouver HIV helpline:
http://helpline.aidsvancouver.org/question/risk-assessment-chart
There is said there actually have been cases of transmission for vaginal sex with condom, under certain conditions. What could they possibly be?

Condoms are designed to leave no doubt when they fail but if they do fail then a transmission can occur . An intact condom means no HIV .


4) Somewhere else I read that suprisingly many people use the condom wrong, which increases the risk greatly. How am I supposed to picture that?

Check out our lessons on condoms and find out


5) INSTI home test
Surfing around I came across some information about INSTI home test. 4 years ago I was sure the negative result is certain unless you got invalid test result. I had minimal risk (protected vaginal, UNprotected oral-a little bit teeth involved, fingering-hangnail) with csw. I did my INSTI hiv home test after 2 and 4 months - both negative. I didn't put myself in any risk after that.

Unfortunately probably all doctors here in central Europe don't trust INSTI home test, though it's free to buy in drug store. Even after long 4 years on the market, the moment they hear I was self-tested (at 2&4 month), they always point me to hospital to get normal test.

Should I listen to them and get a test? They made me worry after all this years. Is there any good reason they don't trust the test? I know some are scared about false positives "suicides" but I was tested negative. Though they all still say the same - Get the regular test in hospital. They make me feel like the test back then was useless. Was it?

You never had a risk and the test are accurate


6) Since I read this disturbing info about home test, I asked my dermatologist in person what she thinks about home test. She didn't really answer me but told me that by this time I would have often flu or sort of flu problems. I'm having flu like once per year, certainly none past last half a year. And summer sneezing allergy. That's it. Is it something I could really take as assurance?


I'm aware you could say NO RISK in the first place and close the topic but I hope you could at least briefly answer/provide your opinion to all the points. Thank you.

You have not had a risk for HIV . 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.

Although you did not have a risk and do not need to test for this specific incident , 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. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

We can assess your own risk for specific incidents but if you have questions on what other sources have to say about HIV you should address the questions to them and not us .

[WhyRejectedReg]

First half was merely informative question. I was really interested how are the reports of oral transmission verified, if somebody here knows (see my first question). Other than just discard the idea of that transmission at all.

Second, you say home INSTI is accurate and I should not listen to doctors and don't go for proper hospital test? Does that also apply if I would happen to get in a real risk?

Third, on one hand doctors are scared of home tests, on the other hand they often tell "your fine", because you don't have often flu after 4 years. Ofc it won't make up for test, but I was curious, if it's true.

[Joe K]

First half was merely informative question. I was really interested how are the reports of oral transmission verified, if somebody here knows (see my first question). Other than just discard the idea of that transmission at all.

We rely on peer-reviewed science for our assessments.  There have been no fewer than three separate serodiscordant couples studies (where one person is HIV positive, the other negative.) These couples were tracked for three. five and ten years. The couples used condoms for penetrative vaginal and anal sex, but NO BARRIER at all for oral sex. Any kind of oral sex.

These studies yielded NO infections.

Second, you say home INSTI is accurate and I should not listen to doctors and don't go for proper hospital test? Does that also apply if I would happen to get in a real risk?

Please read Jeff's response again.  He told you the test was accurate and if you had a risk, a home test is accurate, or you could go to a facility that provides HIV testing.

Third, on one hand doctors are scared of home tests, on the other hand they often tell "your fine", because you don't have often flu after 4 years. Ofc it won't make up for test, but I was curious, if it's true.

Only testing can determine your status.

Joe

[Andy Velez]

I just want to repeat what Jeff has accurately told you: you did not have a risk for HIV.

And yes, the Home INSTI is an approved test.

Stop making things more complicated than they need to be. The only confirmed risks for the sexual transmission of HIV are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse. Use condoms everytime and you will be well protected against transmission.

Other STDs are much easier to acquire so anyone who is sexually active ought to at least annually do the full panel of tests.

Keep it simple and get on with your life. 

[WhyRejectedReg]

Is the test done after so many years still reliable?

[Jeff G]

Please 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. Additional threads will be merged.

If you have not had a risk a negative HIV test will last a lifetime .