AIDS and sex

Former Member

the HIV virus specifically targets T-cells of the human immume system and not any other human cells because they don't have the necessary "docking" receptors. So the question is, UNLESS HIV gets into the blood stream, it can't do anything, right? So, UNLESS sex actually causes breaks in the skin, thus allowing the entry of HIV into the bloodstream, one doesn't get HIV. So, the question is, does sexual intercourse ALWAYS cause skin breaks, microlesions, etc.?
i mean otherwise, the HIV in cum won't be able to do a thing to the human body.
Opinions? (preferably with medical basis)

Former Member

Hi,

I'm not really very good @ english so i hope u'll excuse me, n i dont mean that as in i speak another language i mean it as in, i dont understand exactly what ur saying, cos i dont undertsand the question,

but,

id just like to say my mum is HIV positive so if i can understand what ur asking i might be able to answer <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;

Former Member

I'll try to simplify the Q. Simply put, HIV must get into the bloodstream for an infection to occur, and no where else. so the question is, unless penetration causes micro breaks in the skin, there is no way HIV can get into the blood and cause an infection. Does this imply that most if not all sexual intercourses will result in skin breaks?

p/s: gay men are supposedly in greater risk because anal sex most definitely produce breaks which allow HIV entry into blood.

Former Member

Ahhh right,

Well it doesnt really matter about the skin breaks i guess because, inside a womans vagina, it is like an opening to thier insides basically, and i think that once infected ejaculate is inside it can get into the bloodstream very easily (whether there be microlesions or not),

i mean if something can come out of there (ie; menstruation) then surely things can get in,

I'll ring my mum up in the morning and ask her about it, because she'll know so no one take what i said as fact because im not entirely sure.

So basically what im saying is i dont have a clue if sex always causes microlesions in ur skin but i do think there are different ways for the infection to be passed into your blood stream apart from that (if indeed they do exist).

Former Member

Originally posted by hairylarry:
So, the question is, does sexual intercourse ALWAYS cause skin breaks, microlesions, etc.?

No, it doesn't ALWAYS produce them, but it does quite often. Fortunately HIV is not a terribly robust virus, and so even when the lesions occur there is a fairly low success rate. Other STDs are much better at making the jump, so it is a good idea to use a barrier anyway.

Former Member

so does this mean that having sex with an HIV infected person does not 100% result in infection?

One interesting question: How the hell do HIV virus particles get inside cum? aren't they supposed to be localized in the blood stream (where the T-cells are).?

Nice to get positive response from y'all.

Former Member

It is not 100% that u can get it,

but it certainly isnt worth the risk!!

different ways of being infected but HIV include

• Unprotected vaginal sex (giving and recieving)
• Unprotected anal sex (giving or recieving)
• Unprotected oral sex (giving, oral sex is low-risk when compared to unprotected anal or vaginal sex, but transmission can happen)
• Sharing needles , used for drugs, pirecing or tatoos
• Sharing sex toys

I know there are probably a lot more but i cant think of any more right now and its just a liccle bit of info for ppl who didnt know <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;

HIV is not transmitted like a common cold. You can't get it from being in the vicinity of someone who has it. It is an extremely fragile virus, which rarely survives exposure to air. Its concentration in tears, sweat and saliva is too low for transmission, and its concentration in vaginal fluids is low as well. The most common routes of transmission are blood-to-blood and semen-to-blood.

Thus the way to avoid HIV infection is not to keep your distance from the people you think might have it, but to avoid sharing needles, and not let blood, semen, or vaginal fluids get into your bloodstream or come in contact with your mucous membranes. It won't do any good to avoid "high risk" populations. The way to avoid infection is to practice safer sex. Use latex barriers when you lick, suck, or fuck.




[This message has been edited by Spirit II (edited 18-02-2001).]

Former Member

Originally posted by hairylarry:
so does this mean that having sex with an HIV infected person does not 100% result in infection?

One interesting question: How the hell do HIV virus particles get inside cum? aren't they supposed to be localized in the blood stream (where the T-cells are).?

Nice to get positive response from y'all.

No, having sex with an HIV person does not mean that you WILL be infected yourself but, obviously, there is a good chance you will be.

Also, HIV is found in most forms of body fluid (e.g. small amounts have even been detected in saliva) but blood, semen etc is where it is abundant. That's why oral sex is considered a risk (although a SMALL risk) compared to full sex.

It's worth noting that a small number of lesbians have been infected ... so the transfer of almost any body fluid could be considered risky.

Former Member

i agree, i was not really up on the facts about it so i asks my mum (shes a nurse), and she said the hiv virus is in vaginal fluids, semen, blood, but small amounts are in saliva etc.

although u r not automatily going to contact it from having sex, there is a chance andto me thats not worth the risk!!