1/8000 chance from female to male? How? - HIV Prevention Message Board

CuteSouthernGrl · 09-18-2003, 10:55 AM

I've read in numerous posts that the chance of HIV transmission from female to male is 1/8000? I know HIV transmission is harder from male to female but how is it that so many women are infected? I even heard someone say the other day that number of women with HIV is rising. I'm not doubting the 1/8000 chance, but I have a problem understanding statistics so could someone explain it to me? Also, when a girl performs oral sex on a guy, the risk is low. But when the girl gets semen in her mouth and swallows, the risk is obviously higher. So, if I performed oral sex on an HIV+ guy, and swallowed his semen, would I for sure get HIV? One more thing, when the semen is in the mouth and swallowed, is that just as risky as unprotected vaginal/ anal sex or is a little less risky than that? Just a few questions I had that I figured could only get answered on here...

09-18-2003, 11:11 AM

Hi, I just asked a similar question to yours. I wouldn't worry about becoming infected with HIV through oral sex. I think the odds are pretty slim! I don't get the odds thing either, you think HIV would be more common if you'd have to sleep with someone 8000 times statistically to get the disease! Are most people infected through needle use then, or anal sex?

maybe helpful · 09-18-2003, 04:35 PM

"I know HIV transmission is harder from male to female but how is it that so many women are infected?"

The way women are MADE is what makes it so much easier. When HIV first was recognized, it was prevelant in the homosexual male community. Now, after MANY years of it spreading, and largley due to drug use with needles, it has made its way everywhere. Women are MORE likley to recieve it because semen can live in our bodies, we can have abrasions and tears inside our body we dont know about, making a way for HIV to enter the bloodstream.

"I'm not doubting the 1/8000 chance, but I have a problem understanding statistics so could someone explain it to me?"

Its not i in 8000 for ALL men, it is only 1 in 8000 for a vaginal encounter that a man could catch it from a woman. Up the odds if she is high risk. Up them even more if she is DEFINTLEY positive.

"So, if I performed oral sex on an HIV+ guy, and swallowed his semen, would I for sure get HIV?"

Noone has ever sited a case on ANY site I have so far found that has concluded an oral sex encounter as causing HIV transmission. So, no, you would not for sure get it. Its possible, but not probable.

"One more thing, when the semen is in the mouth and swallowed, is that just as risky as unprotected vaginal/ anal sex or is a little less risky than that?"

I dont think that the specific oral sex act has ever been broken down into wether or not there was semen, or if it was swallowed, but as I said just before, the risk is SMALL, slim to none.

As far as the risks, protected sex, and oral sex is VERY small. Anal sex is VERY risky, and vaginal sex is in the middle. Naturally, the LESS you are exposed to fluids, the better.

Feel free to ask questions anytime. If you leave this forum HIV negative and EDUCATED you will be MUCH better than when you got here!

------------------
Good Luck and Be Safe

09-18-2003, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Its not i in 8000 for ALL men, it is only 1 in 8000 for a vaginal encounter that a man could catch it from a woman. Up the odds if she is high risk. Up them even more if she is DEFINTLEY positive.

These statements are incorrect. The study that the 1/8,000 figure is based on included 72 HIV-positive women who were having sex with 72 HIV-negative men over 10 years. One man got HIV in the 10-year study, and the person who conducted the test suspects IV-drug use in even that one transmission.

The chance of a man getting HIV from a random unprotected vaginal-sex encounter is 1-in-50 million, based on the CDC's figures of liklihood of transmission (1/8,000) and the number of people who have HIV. (Far fewer women have HIV than do men.)

maybe helpful · 09-18-2003, 07:28 PM

I got the 1 in 8000 figure from a reliable site, ill see if i can find it tonite. And, although its true that more men HAVE HIV than women, it IS on the rise in the female population.