I had unprotected sex. What's my risk?

[HansNZ]

About 2 months ago I had unprotected sex with a guy who (in hindsight) I consider to be at high risk for carrying HIV.

Because I was the one penetrating him, and because of my ignorance, I figured that he was the one taking the risk (although I knew I was HIV-). Last week I was told that you are at equal risk, whether you are the top or the bottom, when having unprotected sex because during intercourse the penis inevitably suffers small tears.

How true is this and how much risk do you think I am at (assuming he was HIV+)?

 

[danielson]

well i would say the receptive partner is at more risk....in any situaton purely because your ejaculating into him. howvere if you were confrmed HIV negative hewould have been at no risk from you for that particular STD (Assuming you dont have another you dont know about)

but yes....you are at risk. underneath the foreskin is your head of the penis (referred to a the penis glans)....this is not skin, but something called mucous membrane (like a crappy version of skin basically,)

its thinner and more sensitive, and also get damaged more easily, so there are usually lots of little microscopic cuts in it that HIV can get through

mucous membranes on your penis could have been in contact with the virus, and due to the weakness of mucous membrane, may have had tiny cuts or tears which could allow the virus to enter the bloodstream. if you are circumcised it may reduce your risk as there is less mucous membrane, but your still at risk.

also anal sex has been shown to be more high risk due to the fact that the epithelia of the anal passage etc may tear a bit more during sex meaning more exposure to blood.

ultimately there are statistics on these things but if i were you i would go get a test, or at least ask a doctor....he/she is the most qualified person to answer your questions. good luck

 

[HansNZ]

I am circumcised.

The guy had quite a loose bowel so there wasn't much friction. I hope this may have reduced the risk of bowel rupture.

A friend of mine who works in sex education tells me that there is only a 1% chance of transmission between an HIV+ and HIV- person. Naturally this statisitc isn't publicised much as it could lead people into reckless sexual behaviour, but it does make me feel better.

My partner (who is a doctor who has worked in an STD clinic) isn't too worried. But he was the one who told me I was at equal risk so I was wondering whether he was exaggerating.

 

[musclebrains]

Calling the risk equal is ridiculous. Your chance of getting infected is very low, but, man, do NOT do that again.

 

[alanchiras]

Risk factor

It sure isn't equal risk. Those people who say that are using scare tactics for a variety of reasons on you. Don't believe it, and continue to have good, healthy sex. Thanks!

 

[Spartacus]

don't really quote me on these figures becuase I researched this about 10 years ago after a short term relationship with a high risk nurse,whom later did in fact become HIV+..I'm a guy ahd the nurse was a girl,but back about a decade ago the homosexual community was proclaiming that HIV was getting its "foot in the door" and soon HIV would be blossoming amongst heterosexuals..anyhow,highest risk was anal sex..with the recepient of infected sperm having a 1 in 4 chance of contracting,on the other hand(could use a pun here),if the "reciever" of the anal penetration was HIV+ while the penetrator wasn't,then the chance of the uninfected catching was in the neighborhood of 1 in a 100..amongst vaginal penetrations.if the female was infected and the male wasn't,then his chance of contracting was about 1 in 500,if the male was infected and the female wasn't..I think it was about 1 in 200 for the female to contract(think Magic Johnson's wife here..though Magic might not having been having much regular sex with his wife what with all his other escapades)..in addition to some of the reasons mnetioned in above posts..the rectum is also a higher risk environment than a vagina because the rectum functions to pull fluids form the stool(primarily water)

 

[Tiervexx]

don't really quote me on these figures becuase I researched this about 10 years ago after a short term relationship with a high risk nurse,whom later did in fact become HIV+..I'm a guy ahd the nurse was a girl,but back about a decade ago the homosexual community was proclaiming that HIV was getting its "foot in the door" and soon HIV would be blossoming amongst heterosexuals..anyhow,highest risk was anal sex..with the recepient of infected sperm having a 1 in 4 chance of contracting,on the other hand(could use a pun here),if the "reciever" of the anal penetration was HIV+ while the penetrator wasn't,then the chance of the uninfected catching was in the neighborhood of 1 in a 100..amongst vaginal penetrations.if the female was infected and the male wasn't,then his chance of contracting was about 1 in 500,if the male was infected and the female wasn't..I think it was about 1 in 200 for the female to contract(think Magic Johnson's wife here..though Magic might not having been having much regular sex with his wife what with all his other escapades)..in addition to some of the reasons mnetioned in above posts..the rectum is also a higher risk environment than a vagina because the rectum functions to pull fluids form the stool(primarily water)

This is very intresting, thanks for posting it, but what about oral?
i heard that it has a very high risk factor. does anyone know what it is?