I am a male, 65 years young, that got infected by my second wife who failed to tell me during our 8 year marriage that she was HIV positive. I was tested before the marriage and was negative. I only found out when she was diagnosed with AIDS 11 days before she died. What are the statistics/numbers of the danger from unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected woman? I know there have been study groups of heterosexuals and wondered what % actually got infected? I have had undetectable viral load and t-cells 575-675 for 12 years. I also had a vasectomy in 1971. Do you have numbers to share?

Responses

  • Michael Castleman says:

    She didn’t mention it? That’s really cold. So sorry this happened to you.

    You say you “got infected,” but then you say you have no detectable viral load, which suggests you’re NOT infected.

    It’s very difficult for scientists to estimate the risk of HIV transmission from unprotected intercourse because ethical considerations prevent controlled studies. But observational studies suggest that risk of transmission from one episode of vaginal intercourse is on the order of 1 in 1,000, with women’s risk of getting it from men higher than men’s risk of acquiring it from women. So your risk would appear to be less than 1 in 1,000. And with high T-cells for 12 years, I’m guessing that you dodged the bullet.

    But HIV is a very tricky virus. I urge you to continue working with a physician and getting tested regularly. In the unlikely event that you convert, i.e., turn positive, today’s drugs can in all likelihood control the infection and give you a normal lifespan.

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