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Author Topic: UNPROTECTED SEX FOR UNDETECTABLE COUPLES?  (Read 4462 times)

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Offline sleazytwink

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UNPROTECTED SEX FOR UNDETECTABLE COUPLES?
« on: April 28, 2017, 12:11:15 pm »
So around two years ago my boyfriend and I got tested and his result came out positive. At that time we already did unprotected anal sex several times and our health counselor said that although my result said that I was negative, I might be in the window period. About two months later I got tested again and my result also came out positive.

For the last two years we have been going under treatment and would only use condom when we have sex. Our latest results show that we're both undetectable which is great.

Early this month we celebrated our second year anniversary and we got really into it to the point where we had sex without condom for the first time since we were diagnosed positive.

So what I'm asking: is it safe that considering the both of us are undetectable to occasionally not using condom when we have sex?

Please advise.

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: UNPROTECTED SEX FOR UNDETECTABLE COUPLES?
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2017, 12:25:46 pm »
Glad to hear the relationship is going well.

Safer in what sense? I mean look your always going to run the risk of STI's and even more so during unprotected sex, try to avoid co-infections would something to take into consideration. Sounds hash but trust does not prevent STI's

EDIT - Oh i think i know what you mean - sorry misread or understood the question.

As for superinfection - reinfection - Dual infection they all mean the same its highly rare to start with and doubted by some. https://www.poz.com/tag/superinfection

Look practical side to this: Instead of wondering/fearing "what if" or "what might be", if you are in a monogamous relationship than get tested together for other STI's/STD's beyond any window period and once you have both reached UD for 6 months + and remain on treatment than there is really only a negligible  risk of sexual HIV transmission to start with if you do ditch the condom.

As said Trust does not prevent STI's so there is always that element of risk as well, and you either accept or don't accept that risk.

In terms of HIV here is the consensus statement that may give you peace of mind. http://www.preventionaccess.org/consensus

Easy to read print on super-infection:
http://www.hivplusmag.com/treatment/2014/04/10/what-hiv-superinfection-and-how-do-i-prevent-it

Collection on the topic of super-infection
https://www.poz.com/tag/superinfection

Jim
« Last Edit: April 28, 2017, 12:35:16 pm by JimDublin »
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Offline sleazytwink

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Re: UNPROTECTED SEX FOR UNDETECTABLE COUPLES?
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2017, 12:41:45 pm »
Hi Jim,

Yes what I mean is safe from reinfection. He keeps telling me that it should be fine but I've always been so paranoid about these things. I guess it's because my CD4 count has always been slightly lower than his and I'm always at the receiving end which has higher risk of reinfection if that's even possible for our case.

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: UNPROTECTED SEX FOR UNDETECTABLE COUPLES?
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2017, 12:47:02 pm »
Personally speaking I think you are over worrying,  take a look at the poz links I provided.

Look your both undetectable, so the risk is negligible for transmission to start with and you are both taking ART that is than also acting as PrEP in a way against even the negligible risk. So if you ask me the only real word risk here, if what you say is correct and true is only other STI's, not the HIV.

What did you doc say BTW or have you not asked?
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Offline sleazytwink

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Re: UNPROTECTED SEX FOR UNDETECTABLE COUPLES?
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2017, 12:51:52 pm »
I haven't got the chance to ask our doctor yet. We get tested for STDs quite regularly as well. Our next appointment is next week and I'll ask her all the burning questions that I have haha

Thanks by the way, am reading all the links you posted as we speak :)

Offline harleymc

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Re: UNPROTECTED SEX FOR UNDETECTABLE COUPLES?
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2017, 10:30:08 pm »
Condooms are not the only protection. I'm not sure why you are calling condomless sex 'unprotected' when you both have undetectabgle viral loads.

Offline CaveyUK

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Re: UNPROTECTED SEX FOR UNDETECTABLE COUPLES?
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2017, 07:44:34 am »
Yep, I don't know what you are worrying about either.

Assuming you have different strains of the virus, which you probably don't, your meds will work as protection for any incoming HIV anyway. You both should have had resistance tests after diagnosis so you will know if either of you has any resistance to drugs the other one is taking, if you wanted to get really forensic.

So if you are monogamous, then there really is no need for you to be using condoms, other than some psychological benefit you may personally feel.

Now, if you are not monogamous and having sex with others without a condom then it is a different story, as the risk of other STI's should be your number one concern. But if you are not, or if you are using condoms with others, then the risk is really as close to zero as you can get.
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Offline bocker3

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Re: UNPROTECTED SEX FOR UNDETECTABLE COUPLES?
« Reply #7 on: April 29, 2017, 10:58:17 am »
Condooms are not the only protection. I'm not sure why you are calling condomless sex 'unprotected' when you both have undetectabgle viral loads.

Because being UD doesn't protect you from other STD's.  Sex without condoms is unprotected sex, by definition.
To be clear - I am not saying they need to use condoms, I am only refuting the claim that being UD constitutes protected sex.

Mike

Offline Jim Allen

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Re: UNPROTECTED SEX FOR UNDETECTABLE COUPLES?
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2017, 12:52:53 pm »
I haven't got the chance to ask our doctor yet. We get tested for STDs quite regularly as well. Our next appointment is next week and I'll ask her all the burning questions that I have haha

Thanks by the way, am reading all the links you posted as we speak :)

Your welcome and glad I could help. Really glad to hear you both test for STI's regularly, co-infections are not fun at all, so if possible keep reducing both of your risks on that front.

Wishing you both the best.

Jim
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