Unprotected Sex and HIV Transmission

How and why unprotected sex could lead to HIV transmission? Alcohol and power differences are most likely among the reasons. Also, knowing the STD status difference between you and your honey sweetie could help build a better love nest.

On several occasions that sex partners go unprotected sex

1. Alcohol

Consuming alcohol before sex is a major factor in unprotected sex in partners. Research has predicted that the probability of having sex increases as participants consume an increasing amount of alcohol. Secondly, the probability of having unprotected sex also increases as more you drink.

2. Power difference

Sometimes people are afraid of their partner's reaction and cannot ask the other to wear a condom during sex which increases the probability of getting or transmitting HIV. This is an example of how power difference is harmful. It is even harder to ask a partner to wear a condom in abusive and violent relationships.

How is HIV transmitted through unprotected sex?

HIV occurs through the transfer of blood, pre-ejaculation, semen, and vaginal fluids. The reason why sexual activity is a risk for transmission of HIV is that it allows for the exchange of body fluids like blood, semen, and vaginal secretions between partners.

1. Vaginal Intercourse

The most common way of transmission of HIV in the world is unprotected vaginal intercourse. It has been revealed in a study that male-to-female HIV transmission during vaginal intercourse is notably more likely than female-to-male HIV transmission. That is to say, HIV-positive men transmit the virus to HIV-negative women through vaginal intercourse more than HIV-positive women transmit the virus to HIV-negative men because the larger surface area of mucosal tissues of women and the lining of both the vagina and cervix are rich in immune system cells which can damage easily. HIV is transmitted in men occurs through the lining of the urethra inside the tip of the penis or through a wound or cut on the penis foreskin.

2. Anal Intercourse

There is a high risk of occurring HIV through anal intercourse. A receptive partner is at much higher risk for HIV during unprotected anal intercourse but each of two partners can get HIV infected. The reason for this is HIV mixed with semen is transmitted through direct contact with anal mucosal tissues. It has been demonstrated in a study that pre-ejaculate (pre-cum) can contain high amounts of HIV and can result in transmission during anal intercourse.

An insertive partner can get HIV infected through a wound or cut on the penis or through the lining of the urethra inside the tip of the penis.

How and why unprotected sex have high rates of HIV transmission?

Unprotected sex has high rates of HIV transmission if you have sexual partners with a different HIV status than you. The probability of transmitting HIV increases with a high viral load, and the probability of getting HIV also increases if your partner has a sexually transmitted disease (STD). If you have several sex partners then the chance of having intercourse with a partner who has a different HIV status than you increases so the risk of getting HIV increases.

1. Having a different HIV status than your partner

The sex partners must know the HIV status of each other. If your HIV status is negative and you are involved in sex with an HIV-positive partner then your chances of getting HIV increase, and this probability increases each time you have sex with this partner.

2. Having sex with several sex partners

If you and your sex partners have overlapping sex partners, your risk of getting HIV increases. The reason for this is that the more sexual partners you have in your lifetime, the more probably you are to have sex with HIV infected person. If you are sexually active, you should have sex with fewer partners in the future.

How is HIV prevented through sex?

1. Use of condoms.

The probability of occurring HIV will significantly be lower if a condom is accurately used during sex.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and treatment as prevention are some other methods of protection during intercourse.

2. Use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

To lower the probability of getting HIV, an HIV-negative person can take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pill to reduce the risk of HIV by more than 90 percent.

3. Use post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

PEP consists of taking prescription antiretroviral medications after a recent vulnerability to HIV. It is a short course used in an emergency, generally for a month, after 72 hours of viable exposure.

4. Treatment as prevention

STD/STI check consists of taking medication to decrease the quantity of virus in blood so that the probability of that individual transmitting HIV to a sexual partner may decrease.