http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/index.html en-us http://www.thebody.com/images/logo/logo_notopics.gif http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/index.html 15 View questions and answers about Safe Sex and HIV Prevention or ask your own questions for our expert to answer. Our expert for this forum is Mr. Jacobs. http://www.thebody.com/Forums/rss/AIDS/SafeSex.xml self application/xml http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246514.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246514.html Sat, 13 Jan 2018 00:49:46 -0400
A: Hello, I spotlight this question here because it is indicative of some of the unfortunate information that has been communicated in the wider community, and demonstrates to me how some doctors continue to be the most abhorrent perpetrators of dangerously unscientific information. This is certainly not the first time I've seen this happen, and I'm sure not the last. So let's be clear first about one very important thing: You must have HIV to transmit HIV. If you are HIV negative you do not hav...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246513.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246513.html Fri, 12 Jan 2018 07:59:12 -0400
A: Hello - Thank you for your kind words, I know all of us here at The Body.com are grateful for the opportunities to help couples learn new information and find ways to feel confident and empowered about their pleasure and protection.The "stronger" mutation you referred to is often referred to in research and media as "superinfection." The idea is that people living with HIV can re-infect one another with more of the virus creating a stronger virus that is immune to medications. The catastrophic...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246512.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246512.html Fri, 12 Jan 2018 07:29:49 -0400
A: I am so sorry you have been living in such terror from these sexual experiences. I can feel the anguish in your words, and how desperate you are for reassurance. Some of this will be helped by learning facts. But bottom line - the only way you will know your HIV status is to get HIV tested. You don't give a timeline for when these events happened, but most HIV tests now have a window period of 14-28 days after an exposure (http://i-base.info/guides/testing/what-is-the-window-period). So let...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246510.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246510.html Tue, 09 Jan 2018 07:19:27 -0400
A: Hi there -- why thank you for such kind words. I know all of us here at the Body.com are grateful for the opportunities to help people around the world learn facts, information, and enhance sexual intimacy and connections. Your partner is absolutely correct on this one. Scientists and doctors have understood for well over a decade that consistent HIV treatment significantly lowers the risk of transmitting HIV. However -- now we have several studies which have confirmed and validated the sam...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246485.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246485.html Sat, 06 Jan 2018 22:15:30 -0400
A: Based on the circumstances you describe, it appears you would be at no risk of acquiring HIV from this encounter. Here's why: (1) There was no ejaculation. Although there are medical theories that suppose that precum can contain HIV if the person is HIV positive and detectable, there are no real world studies or experiences that have ever shown this to be a reality. After 36 years of research, we understand a lot about HIV is transmitted. The fact that there are no examples of precum as a cred...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246483.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246483.html Fri, 05 Jan 2018 07:28:34 -0400
A: Hello, Thank you for writing in and trusting us here at The Body with your concern. The short answer to your question is "no." There is zero risk of acquiring HIV from the activities you described above. HIV is actually a fairly difficult virus to transmit and to acquire. It must travel directly from the mucous membranes of one person into the mucous membranes of another. It must go through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk. HIV dies nearly immediately when it has contact with t...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246482.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246482.html Fri, 05 Jan 2018 07:06:34 -0400
A: Hi, I don't believe anyone "should" ever be worried, but I do think your emotional and sexual life could be enhanced by learning some facts about PrEP. Based on the circumstances you described, there is no risk of acquiring HIV from this encounter. Why not? (1) You have been on PrEP for three weeks. The maximal amount of time it takes for PrEP to be effective for receptive rectal sex is seven days (and some studies have shown much sooner than that). That means you now have the full protectio...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246477.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246477.html Sun, 31 Dec 2017 07:27:35 -0400
A: Bananas may be a great source of fiber and protein, but not HIV. HIV stands for "Human Immunodeficiency Virus," with the key point here being "Human." It must be transmitted from the mucous membranes from one human into the mucous membranes of another human. It cannot be transmitted through casual contact, kissing, touching, body rubbing, nor playing with produce. As I was reading your question I was trying to understand the process you are fearing. You are wondering if your sexual partner ...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246458.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246458.html Tue, 26 Dec 2017 04:58:35 -0400
A: Thank you for the Christmas greeting! I hope that this holiday season results in less fear than last holiday season, and that the information here can help you to take action. Based on the events you are describing, the chances of acquiring HIV are pretty darn low - between .38% and .04% (https://www.poz.com/article/HIV-risk-25382-5829). Being circumcised is believed to bring that minute risk down by approximately 60% (http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/malecircumcision/en/). So all in all, it i...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246450.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246450.html Sun, 24 Dec 2017 03:18:51 -0400
A: Hello Very Worried British Girl, Thank you so much for reading TheBody.com and trusting us with your question. I'm sorry a holiday romance has ended with such disturbance and confusion. I hope we can help. I feel very confident in reassuring you there is zero chance of acquiring HIV from oral sex with no ejaculation. The only hypothetical risk factor here is how much precum he leaked. And although there are medical theories that suppose that precum can contain HIV if the person is HIV posit...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246447.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246447.html Sat, 23 Dec 2017 06:37:18 -0400
A: I'm sorry this happened to you, I'm sure this was not the holiday haircut you were anticipating. The good news here is that your barber did nothing to put you any risk for HIV. HIV must have a direct route of transmission from one person's body into the mucous membranes of another, hence why sexual intercourse or IV drug transmission are the more common routes between adults. It is not transmitted through casual contact such as hugging, touching, kissing, sharing utensils, or shaving. The not...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246446.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246446.html Sat, 23 Dec 2017 06:16:24 -0400
A: Hi there, Although this is being answered outside the 72 hour timeframe, I hope there is still information that can be of use for you. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a drug that prevents an individual from acquiring HIV if they are exposed to detectable viral levels. If used as prescribed, it is over 99% effective (http://www.natap.org/2016/ICAAC/ICAAC_02.htm). In the initial efficacy trials, no one who used PrEP four or more times per week acquired HIV (https://www.robertmgrant.org/project/...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246439.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246439.html Wed, 20 Dec 2017 08:31:12 -0400
A: I appreciate you writing us at The Body and giving us the opportunity to help you out. Whether or not there is any problem would simply depend on your physical health. You don't mention your HIV status, or his. But if you were living with HIV and were not receiving medical treatment, then it's possible that your blood and vaginal fluids could transmit HIV to others, especially if he has open cuts in his mouth. If you have an STI such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, he could certainly get those fr...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246438.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246438.html Wed, 20 Dec 2017 07:58:42 -0400
A: The risk of docking, i.e, covering a partner penis with one's foreskin and rubbing the two together, is considered to be a negligible risk for HIV transmission. In order for HIV to be transmitted, a detectable amount of the virus must have a direct route from one person's body into the mucous membranes of another. Although theoretically docking could provide a means by which the ejaculate from one penis could be directed into another, it is still extremely unlikely, and so far unheard of. Aft...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246437.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246437.html Wed, 20 Dec 2017 00:55:59 -0400
A: Thank you for writing in. I understand the concern this experience may warrant. Fortunately, the events you are describing put you at zero risk of acquiring HIV from this encounter. HIV is transmitted directly from the mucous membranes (semen, blood, vaginal fluids, breast milk) from one person into another, hence why penetrative sex and IV drug use are the most common routes. Simply rubbing, touching, or even a quick poke, does not enable HIV transmission to occur. Your question reminds of...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246420.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246420.html Sat, 16 Dec 2017 23:32:43 -0400
A: Hi There,Thank you for writing in and asking about this traumatic, but sadly not uncommon experience. First and foremost, it's important for you to know that "indeterminate" does not automatically equal "HIV positive." There are many reasons why one may return an indeterminate test result even whey they are HIV negative (https://www.hiv.va.gov/patient/faqs/inconclusive-test-results.asp ; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16987048). Anecdotally, I can tell you that I have two friends who use...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246419.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246419.html Fri, 15 Dec 2017 22:07:33 -0400
A: Thank you for writing in with your concern. It is a question I receive often, so it's worth going into with some detail.Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a drug that prevents an individual from acquiring HIV if they are exposed to detectable viral levels. If used as prescribed, it is over 99% effective (http://www.natap.org/2016/ICAAC/ICAAC_02.htm). In the initial efficacy trials, no one who used PrEP four or more times per week acquired HIV (https://www.robertmgrant.org/project/has-prep-eve...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246390.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246390.html Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:20:05 -0400
A: Hi Al, If you haven't been sexually active since May, 2013, then there would be no medical reason to be tested for HIV. Most tests will give you accurate results within 28 days and nearly all HIV positive results would show within three months. When I was growing up, Stevie Nicks was one of my favorite singers. I loved her mystical lyrics, her witchy dresses, her elegant mysterious style. What I didn't realize in the pre-Internet era was how much I related to her private struggles with doubt...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246389.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246389.html Wed, 29 Nov 2017 07:45:00 -0400
A: Hi there, thank you for the follow up (http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246368.html)! Okay, that makes sense as to why I have never heard the term flutternutter, nor could I find any definition! It seems like you are well aware that there is simply no risk from the activities you are describing. Unfortunately, so many have been conditioned to believe that there must be punishment from enjoying sexual intimacy and pleasure. Experiencing another person's vaginal fluids on your balls c...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246372.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246372.html Sat, 25 Nov 2017 20:23:57 -0400
A: HI there,First - my deepest respect and regards to you for sharing this question. I am so very sorry that you experienced this form of violence. There is no excuse for these types of actions, and my heart and thoughts are with you during this scary and confusing time. I hope first and foremost you understand that: (1) You did nothing to incur this type of violence, and (2) Now is the time to ask for support. I don't know your location, but if there are any resources, therapists, or groups fo...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246369.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246369.html Wed, 22 Nov 2017 23:31:59 -0400
A: Hi there,Based on the events you describe, you would be at no risk of contracting HIV from this scenario. Here's why: (1) Consistent use of PrEP offers more than 99% protection from any exposure to detectable levels of HIV (http://www.natap.org/2016/ICAAC/ICAAC_02.htm). If you're using PrEP as prescribed, your chances of acquiring are nearly zero. (2) In 36 years there is only one reported case of someone acquiring HIV through fisting. That person had frequent ulcers on his hand, and was no...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246368.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246368.html Wed, 22 Nov 2017 23:01:12 -0400
A: Hello,First of all, thank you for showing me a new word. After two decades of practicing sex-affirmative therapy, and teaching about sexual health and HIV prevention around the U.S., I have been unaware of the term "flutternutter." I'm still trying to find a correct description, so please help me out here. Regardless of what it means, there is still no risk of HIV from the incident you are describing. You say you had protected sex with your partner, but you don't offer details as far what you...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246364.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246364.html Mon, 20 Nov 2017 20:16:57 -0400
A: Hi there, thank you for the kind words, I appreciate your reading my answers here at TheBody.com! I hope this message will help as well. Based on the circumstances you described, there seems to be zero chance of acquiring HIV from this experience. Here's why: 1. He didn't cum inside you. From what you said, the first condom broke for a split second, during which time he responsibly pulled out and put on a new one. He then came inside the second condom. That tells us that there were no oppo...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246363.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246363.html Mon, 20 Nov 2017 19:27:42 -0400
A: Hi Marco,I do understand the fear and concern you have for your son. But rest assured, there are no means by which HIV could be transmitted in the scenario you describe. HIV is actually a pretty hard virus to pass on. It cannot live long outside the human body. There haven't been any cases of HIV transmission through casual contact with blood or semen that has been left behind on a surface. It must be transmitted from mucous membranes of one person into the mucous membranes of another, hence ...

Read More ]]> http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246346.html http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Q246346.html Mon, 13 Nov 2017 01:53:55 -0400
A: If someone is HIV negative, they cannot transmit HIV. PrEP is a way that 100,000s of men and women around the world are choosing to stay HIV negative so that they do not receive nor transmit HIV to others. So the short answer to you question is "no." However, since you're asking me about risk, I would invite you to consider the possibility of PrEP for yourself. It sounds to me like you are making your partner's decision to use PrEP your primary method of staying HIV negative. That potentiall...

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