Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 6/14/2005

Question
Hi,
First of all thank you for offering your expertise about AIDS to the public.

I have 2 questions:
1) I'd like to know exactly how long it maximum takes between a positive bloodtest and the time one can infect others with sexual intercourse.
To be honest, as a man living in Belgium I'd like to become a porn-actor. Now every actor/actrice is tested every month with a bloodtest. But suppose one girl has been infected the day after the bloodtest! When can I get it from her? Are there any official research documents about this on the net?

2) I've read on some dutch website that the HIV-virus is so small that it can penatrate a condom. The even clame that a condom would only lower the risk of infection by 63%. Are there any other tests/websites that back this up?

Thanks!


Answer
Once someone is infected, they can pass the virus on to someone else. However, the chances are smaller right after the person has been infected simply because the virus is still replicating in the body-less virus means less chance. Also, the most common test for HIV in America (I dont know what it is in Belgium) has a 1-6 month window period meaning that it can take the body that long to produce enough antibodies to be detected by the test. What that means is, a person can be infected, but receive a false negative because there body has not produced enough antibodies yet. People can infect others during this time as well.

The most important thing is to always wear a condom-and to follow the instructions precisely. When used correctly, condoms prevent the spread of HIV 99% of the time. HIV is not so small that it passes through latex.