What are the chances of contracting HIV after unprotected oral and vaginal sex with an HIV infected person?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am in my mid-thirties. Around eight years ago, I had unprotected sex, multiple times over a period of four months, with an HIV-positive female. This included oral and vaginal sex. Four months after my last exposure, I took a blood test at a hospital and it came back negative. I do not know the name of the test. At the same hospital, I took another blood test around one year after my last exposure. It came back negative as well. I then felt confident that I was not infected. However, that confidence has gone. Recently I had sex with a female. This was the first time I had sex again since my HIV exposure. And afterward, I began to doubt the earlier test results, and my fears of perhaps having HIV came back. I went to the hospital and took another blood test. I asked if it was a fourth-generation test and they said yes. It came back negative. Yet, I am still not at ease. I have a number of concerns that I was hoping you could address.

I find it highly unlikely that I am HIV-negative after multiple unprotected sexual encounters with an HIV person. Am I right in thinking that?
Is it possible that I was infected by an HIV type that the tests I have done have not picked up?
I believe I have read somewhere that there are subtypes that current tests may not detect. Is this correct?
I do not know what type I was exposed to.
I want to begin a relationship. However, I am terrified of having HIV and transmitting it to another person. Am I being unreasonable?
Is it safe for me to move on and begin a relationship? Or do I need further testing? Should I investigate if I have contracted a rare HIV subtype?

I can add that since my exposure around eight years ago my health has been fine. I took a couple of regular blood tests last year which also suggested fine health.

Please help me.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The risk of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) transmission through sexual routes is very low. It is only about 3 %. The risk reduces further if the person is on treatment. Many couples that are discordant even after multiple unprotected intercourses. Since you got checked at three months and one year after exposure, you are HIV-negative. there is nothing to worry about. HIV tests are highly sensitive to pick any type of HIV, that you have got tested thrice. In my opinion yes you are being unreasonable. There is nothing to worry about and you can start a new relationship. no need to look back.

Good luck with your future relationship.

Hope I have cleared your query.

Thanks and regards.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

There are multiple types of tests used for HIV. Some tests are done to detect antibodies, some tests detect antigen, and some test detects viral load. Earlier generation viral load tests could not detect non-clade B HIV. So maybe that is what you have been reading on these forums. But the most common testing now is antibody testing. The fourth generation tests both antibodies and antigens, so for HIV screening HIV antibody testing is being used. These antibody tests are able to detect even non-clade B HIV. So, in my opinion, you need not worry and put all of this behind you and start a good relationship.

All the best.

Thanks and regards.

Answer 3

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes even after years of infection the virus is still present in the body in small numbers. so the tests can pick it up. If the patient progresses to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) then the viral load increases drastically. So even then the tests will pick up the virus.

So after years of infection, whether the patient remains asymptomatic or turns into an AIDS patient, the tests will be able to pick up the virus.

Hope I clarified your doubts.

Thanks and regards.

What are the chances of contracting HIV after unprotected oral and vaginal sex with an HIV infected person?

Concerned about HIV?