Will condoms fully protect me?

May 02, 2010

LIVING in an HIV discordant relationship is a challenge, but you must always discuss with your partner how to manage your sex life so that you remain negative.

Face HIV with Dr. Watiti

Dear Doctor,
I am living in a discordant relationship. My husband is HIV-positive and on ARVs, while I am negative. We use condoms consistently, but I wonder how often I should do an HIV test because I have been told condoms are not 100% effective. I am worried I could be infected with HIV, yet we are committed to each other.
Mary

Dear Mary,
LIVING in an HIV discordant relationship is a challenge, but you must always discuss with your partner how to manage your sex life so that you remain negative.

In spite of the fact that the condom is not 100% effective for various reasons including fitting it on poorly, it is so far the best barrier protection against HIV.
You should continue using it correctly and consistently.

I would, however, advise that in cases where the condom breaks and semen spills inside you; you should talk to your doctor such that you are put on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

In such a case, you should have an HIV test to make sure you are negative before starting ARVs for PEP and at the end of the treatment. Otherwise you should have regular medical check -ups.

This is good practice even for people who are concordantly negative.
All people should develop health seeking behaviour by doing regular medical check-ups for diseases like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and HIV.

Lastly, make sure your husband adheres to his ARVs so that his viral load is maximally suppressed because this also reduces your chances of getting infected even when you are exposed through mishaps like condom breakage.

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