Can HIV Be Contracted Through Protected Intercourse?

Posted on Thu, 6 Oct 2016

Question: Hi!

Almost 4 weeks ago I had protected sex with a sex worker in the Philippines. I came inside her after a few minutes and disposed of the condom properly in the bathroom. I used a latex condom (0.03mm from Japan), and it did not slip or break. Could I have contracted HIV from this event? One of my worries is that this happened in a 3rd world country, where I read the HIV rate has been increasing over the last several years. Does this scenario warrant an HIV test?

I am also worried because I am now back in the States and last night I slept with a girl I just started dating. It was also protected sex with a condom with no problems, but then I started having "worst-case-scenario" anxieties of "what if I transmitted it to her?"

Based on this information, do I have anything to worry about in regards to sleeping with other women? Or should I get tested before I have sex again?

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
no need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

having sex using an intact condom protects you against HIV. Even if you were not wearing a condom and she was infected the risk of transmission is low. If you're sure that the condom was intact and you put it on properly then there is no need to worry or do any test. If you'd like to be sure about past exposures though or if it will ease your mind, then go ahead and do the test!

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar