POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: theory7 on January 02, 2014, 08:39:36 am
-
I just had protected sex with a female during her menses (her status unknown), I have a sore on the base of my penis that is three days old and looks like it healing but is still raw. should i go for PEP? kindly advise.
-
Theory,
Protected intercourse is just that - protected. The sore on the base of your penis doesn't matter. You do NOT need PEP.
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 DO NOT NEED TO TEST SPECIFICALLY OVER PROTECTED INTERCOURSE, 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!
Ann
-
Thanks for your quick response, but i still need some clarification, isnt there a risk factor when secrations / blood gets into contact with an open wound?
-
theory,
Not in the situation you're worrying about. You didn't have a risk.
You only need to test if you're not already in the habit of having regular, complete STI check ups. It's what responsible, sexually active adults do. Re-read my previous response.
Ann