Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |
 |
Menstrual Blood
Nov 20, 1996
Question:
I am wondering what the risk is of contracting HIV from a woman who is
menstruating. Several weeks ago I had sex, using a latex condom, with a
high-risk prostitute who was menstruating lightly. After 10 days I came
down with flu like symptoms. Is there a possibility that this is Acute
Viral Syndrome? What are the chances? I have never had an STD and used
the condom correctly. In addition, the condom was equipped with
NonOxynol9. Does this increase my protection?
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Mr. Sowadsky
Hi.Thank you for your question.
If a woman is menstruating while engaging in vaginal intercourse, the risk of
infection is increased. This is because the man is now being exposed to BOTH
vaginal secretions AND menstrual blood, both of which contain high
concentrations of HIV. The more of these body fluids the partner is exposed
to, the greater the risk of transmission there would be.
However, in your case, your risk of infection would still be low. This is
because you were using a latex condom. Condoms used consistently and
correctly do significantly reduce the risk of HIV and other Sexually
Transmitted Diseases (STD's). Nonoxynol-9 is a spermicidal ingredient that has been found to increase the risk of HIV because it can cause irritation. Some people are also allergic to Nonoxynol-9.
Since your risk of infection was low (because you were using condoms), that
would mean there would be less of a chance that your symptoms would be due to
Acute Viral Syndrome. But if you are concerned about your risk of infection,
only testing at 6 months after your last possible exposure to the virus can
tell you if you became infected or not. Since the symptoms related to Acute
Viral Syndrome (flu-like symptoms) look exactly like the symptoms of other
illnesses (including the flu itself), and because not all persons get Acute
Viral Syndrome, these symptoms cannot be used to determine if a person became
infected with HIV or not. Only HIV testing can determine that.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call the Centers for Disease Control at 1.800.232.4636 (Nationwide 24/7).
Rick Sowadsky MSPH CDS
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
