This Month's HIV/AIDS Facts

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Question: Can a woman get AIDS from having sex with a man? Can a man get AIDS from having sex with a woman?

Basic Answer: Yes. AIDS (a result of HIV infection) is caused by a virus (HIV). Either a woman or a man can become infected during oral, vaginal or anal sex if the partner has HIV. When used correctly and consistently, latex (or polyurethane if allergic to latex) condoms greatly reduce the risk of HIV transmission during sex.

Detailed Answer: Yes. AIDS (a result of HIV infection) is caused by a virus (HIV). A woman can get HIV during oral, vaginal or anal sex if her partner has HIV, because an HIV-positive man’s semen can contain the virus. During oral, vaginal or anal sex, an HIV-positive man’s semen may enter the woman through certain cells in the mucus lining or through tiny cuts and tears in the mouth, vagina or anus. This could cause her to become infected.

A man can also get HIV during oral, vaginal or anal sex if his partner has HIV and is exposed (usually through his penis) to her blood or vaginal fluid.

Unless both people know they do not have HIV, a couple can use a latex (or polyurethane if allergic to latex) condom the right way every time they have vaginal, oral or anal sex. Using a water-based lubricant with a latex condom makes the condom less likely to break. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sheer Glyde Dams™ and Glyde Dam Lollyes™ to be used as a barrier during oral sex. When properly used, these dental dams may help reduce the risk of transmitting HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Some people also use non-microwavable plastic food wrap or a latex condom cut the long way to lie flat against a vagina or anus. Although no research has been done yet on their effectiveness used in this way, some HIV/AIDS organizations suggest their use on the vagina or the anus to encourage prevention behavior.

When used the right way every time, condoms greatly reduce the risk of HIV transmission during sex. When they break, it is usually because of improper use. Condoms are more likely to break during anal sex than during vaginal sex. Even with a condom, anal sex is risky. If one partner has HIV, a couple should consider erotic activities that do not involve contact with the vagina, penis or anus. It is important to remember that blood, semen and vaginal fluid that have HIV can spread the virus.

SOURCES:

• Peiperl, L. and Volberding, P., eds. The HIV Insite Knowledge Base: An On-line Textbook from the University of California, San Francisco, and San Francisco General Hospital, 2001. Available at: http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite.jsp?page=KB.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "HIV and Its Transmission." January 2001.
• DeVita, V., Jr., et al., eds. AIDS: Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention, 4th ed. 1997.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. AIDS Prevention Guide. 1994.

For current statistics, contact the CDC National AIDS Hotline (800/342-AIDS), Spanish (800/344-7432), TTY/TDD (800/243-7889); the CDC Voice and Fax Information System (888/232-3228); the CDC National Prevention Information Network (800/458-5231) or its Web site at www.cdcnpin.org; or the CDC HIV/AIDS Web site at www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap.htm.