HIV transmission probabilities

[fed1983]

Hi, just being curious, does anyone have the figures (or a link to a page) of the probability of getting infected of HIV by having unprotected sex with a HIV+ guy?

I know that it varies according to the activity you perform, as you're more likely to get infected if you're bottom than if you're top, and that if there's cum, chances are higher as well, and that chances for oral sex are really low, but now I'd like to know the numbers if anyone knows.

Thanks a lot and take care!

 

[3stripes]

The numbers are on wikipedia.

From memory:
anal sex bottom 1/200
anal sex top 1/1,000
oral sex 1/50,000

 

[Orlandude]

For a detailed explanation, visit the following free website. It is the authority on everything HIV-related and contains all the most recent information from Centers For Disease Control and the worldwide medical community:

www.aegis.com

 

[Fiorino]

Oral nis about the safest. When back East I had a sex relationship with an HIV/AIDS guy, all we did was oral and I never had a problem. I came across a godd preventative in a Gay health article, mix llisterene and peroxide 50/50 and use for a rinse after oral sex, i used to keep in small plastic bottle to take on dates.

 

[wraithsa]

the important thing to remember is there is high risk and low risk -> there is no NO risk -> for oral i used the 1/50000 stat although my collegue has shown me an article that suggests t is as high as 1/2500

http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/102243351.html

 

[fed1983]

Thanks for the rapid responses. I find all these information very interesting, and the more info the better. Anyway, we should remember that these figures are simplified, as there are many variables such as cum, pre-cum, sores, and maybe personal factors that influence the chances of getting infected

 

[3stripes]

Oral nis about the safest. When back East I had a sex relationship with an HIV/AIDS guy, all we did was oral and I never had a problem. I came across a godd preventative in a Gay health article, mix llisterene and peroxide 50/50 and use for a rinse after oral sex, i used to keep in small plastic bottle to take on dates.

Probability is that that rinse would increase your risk via chemical irritation of the gums etc rather than decreasing your risk.

I know it sounds good to use based on "logic" but countless trials of biocides have shown increased risk for HIV transmission.

 

[AdmiraalW238]

I work for a HIV/AIDS Information Line and when asked that specific question my response is always "We do not give out information on the probabilities of getting HIV from a known positive person."

You can never say that I am having unprotected anal sex with a known HIV positive person and the chances of me getting HIV from that person is 1/200. ALWAYS practice safer sex when having anal intercourse. The risk is HIGH

 

[AdmiraalW238]

Oral nis about the safest. When back East I had a sex relationship with an HIV/AIDS guy, all we did was oral and I never had a problem. I came across a godd preventative in a Gay health article, mix llisterene and peroxide 50/50 and use for a rinse after oral sex, i used to keep in small plastic bottle to take on dates.

Probability is that that rinse would increase your risk via chemical irritation of the gums etc rather than decreasing your risk.

I know it sounds good to use based on "logic" but countless trials of biocides have shown increased risk for HIV transmission.

Oral sex is a low risk activity. The chances increase if you have mouth ulcers, gum disease or have a tooth extracted recently. It is never recommended that you use mouth wash before performing oral sex as this can cause irritation to the mouth lining.

Have never hear of using listerine/peroxide after having oral sex is something that I would have to check with my colleagues on the Information Line, but I would be suspicious that this would work to 'reduce' the risk for the simple reason that if the person blew his load in your mouth you would have to 'rinse' almost immediately and by the time you got to your little bottle and rinse any HIV would have already entered the blood stream through a mouth ulcer etc.

I do not recommend you use the listerine/peroxide option.

 

[KaraBulut]

fed1983:

The best way that I can answer that question is to give you a comparison.

If I load a six chamber pistol with one bullet and tell you to point it at your head and do it, would you?

If I tell you that the chances of you blowing your brains out is only 1:6 or 15%, would you do it?

It really doesn't matter whether the chances are 1/100 or 1/10,000. You are always at risk during sexual activity. That is why the recommendations are the same-

1. Use a condom
2. Don't engage in high risk behaviors where body fluids are exchanged.
3. Chose your partners wisely
4. Use a condom
5. Use a condom

And remember, there are other things besides HIV that are out there. You are responsible for your own health.

 

[marcelloNYC]

fed1983:

The best way that I can answer that question is to give you a comparison.

If I load a six chamber pistol with one bullet and tell you to point it at your head and do it, would you?
If I tell you that the chances of you blowing your brains out is only 1:6 or 15%, would you do it? It really doesn't matter whether the chances are 1/100 or 1/10,000. You are always at risk during sexual activity.

That is a great analogy.

 

[kallipolis]

Living our life to the fullest also engages us in taking risks.

Do we choose not to cross the road, just because there is some risk?

Where there is human life there is risk, to live a fulfilling and happy life.

 

[fed1983]

fed1983:

The best way that I can answer that question is to give you a comparison.

If I load a six chamber pistol with one bullet and tell you to point it at your head and do it, would you?

If I tell you that the chances of you blowing your brains out is only 1:6 or 15%, would you do it?

It really doesn't matter whether the chances are 1/100 or 1/10,000. You are always at risk during sexual activity. That is why the recommendations are the same-

1. Use a condom
2. Don't engage in high risk behaviors where body fluids are exchanged.
3. Chose your partners wisely
4. Use a condom
5. Use a condom

And remember, there are other things besides HIV that are out there. You are responsible for your own health.

Sorry, but you misunderstood the point of my post. I wasn't asking whether I should point the gun at my head or not, I was only asking what the chances are, just out of curiosity. That's why the first expression I used (after saying "Hi") was "just being curious". It's not that I'm trying to make up my mind wheter to use a condom or not depending on if the chances are 1/200 or 1/1 or whatever.

Besides, don't you think that the more scientific and precise information we have the better? But at the same time I understand Admiraal's point when he doesn't give this information out, and I even may do the same if I were in his shoes, or maybe not...

 

[KaraBulut]

fed1983:

I did not mean to insult you with my answer. I believe that any question about sex asked sincerely deserves a sincere answer.

But I also do not want you nor anyone else who would ever ready this to believe that sex is something that is not a risky business.

Please be careful with the specious logic in probabilities and relative risks when it is your life and the life of those you love that is the wager on the table. There's a post in this thread that uses a metaphor of crossing the street. That's not an apt metaphor. Maybe a better metaphor would be driving a car. Driving a car is one of the most dangerous things that we do. But most of us do not think about dying in a car crash when we get into the car in the morning to go to work or to school.

I see from your profile that you are 24. Understand that when I was 24, I had lost about 1/2 of my friends to HIV disease. In those days, most of them contracted HIV without knowing it- it moved silently through the gay community and it was not until hundreds of us died that we realized what was happening.

In the year 2008, we know exactly how to prevent this. We've known for over 20 years now. So, why are people still becoming infected? Because we've become complacent and when we have sex, we are not thinking that this one act of pleasure could be something that eventually results in our deaths.

If you have read any of my posts on the forums, you know that I am not sex-negative nor do I patronize anyone with my answers. I try to be as frank as possible. At 24, you are an adult and you are capable of making rational decisions. But please understand that it only takes one bad decision and one mistake or one unfortunate condom break to change your life.

And in the event that the worst happens, the people you leave behind aren't going to be thinking about the law of probabilities or weighted risks. They will only be thinking of their sorrow and their loss and a lifetime without you.

 

[Telstra]

Oral nis about the safest. When back East I had a sex relationship with an HIV/AIDS guy, all we did was oral and I never had a problem. I came across a godd preventative in a Gay health article, mix llisterene and peroxide 50/50 and use for a rinse after oral sex, i used to keep in small plastic bottle to take on dates.

i am not an expert but i don't think it is save there. sorry no oral for HIV guys.
a hand job will do.

 

[kallipolis]

Wisdom can only be understood within the thought that a life worth living, is a life that has been experienced for all its worth.

Fear is the greatest impediment to a life that reveals contentment and joy.

Fear incarcerates the fear filled person within a cell of his own construction.

Freedom from fear enables the fearless man to live in celebration of all that life sends us, to challenge our abilities to overcome our fears.

By following safer sex guidelines we reduce our risks to where they represent our right to live our life in freedom from fear, and celebration of all that reveals us as a human person in need of loving and being loved in return.

Love feeds us with the nutrition that grows us into the complete human person.