What is the Risk for HIV Transmission Between Gay Men Who are Virgins?

Published: January 17, 2017
Dear TeenHealthFX,

Do gay men that were both 100 percent virgins require the use of condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS? Are we at risk?

Signed: What is the Risk of HIV Transmission Between Gay Men Who are Virgins?

Dear What is the Risk of HIV Transmission Between Gay Men Who are Virgins?,

TeenHealthFX would like to start with the ways in which HIV/AIDs is transmitted. According to Planned Parenthood:

HIV is transmitted in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common ways HIV is spread are by

  • having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom with someone who has HIV/AIDS
  • sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV/AIDS
  • being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with HIV
  • getting HIV-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores

 

As for your specific question, if two people are sexually active with one another and neither is infected with HIV/AIDS, then it would not be possible for the virus to spread. However, despite this TeenHealthFX recommends safer sex practices for young adults who are sexually active for the following reasons:

  • Unfortunately, not everyone is honest about their sexual health history or their relationship status. They may say they are a virgin when they are not. They may say they are in a monogamous relationship, but are actually engaging in sexual relationships with others.  
  • HIV has few or no symptoms for up to 10 years or more before symptoms of AIDS develop. So people may be carrying the virus and actually have no idea that they are and then unknowingly pass it onto others.

 

If you are still considering sex without the use of condoms, FX highly recommends that you discuss this with a medical health professional so you can make sure you are fully educated about this issue and are able to make the healthiest decisions possible for you. If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

For more information, you can read the TeenHealthFX Hot Topic, Safer Sex considerations for Young Men in Same-Sex Relationships. You can also read the Planned Parenthood article on HIV/AIDs, which provides detailed information on preventing the spread of HIV.

Signed: TeenHealthFX

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