What are the chances of getting HIV?

“I recently had unprotected sex and it’s been worrying me ever since. What are the chances of getting HIV from having sex one time?”

Dr. Jonathan Panoeiro
Pediatric Neurologist CRM 1101544-RJ

The chances of getting HIV from a single sexual encounter are low, but they are not zero. Estimates suggest that about 4 to 8 infections occur per 10,000 acts of vaginal intercourse with an HIV-positive partner, and about 11 to 138 infections per 10,000 acts of anal intercourse.

However, the chances of getting HIV also depend on whether the HIV-positive person is receiving HIV treatment. When a person with HIV takes antiretroviral therapy (ART) correctly and has an undetectable viral load on blood tests, the virus is not transmitted through sexual contact.

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