condom efectiveness

[anyrisk]

To teak or any doctor who knows the answer pleas.

Doctor EWH said in a post that condom efectiveness is 99.99%.

I thought that if a latex condom did not break it would be 100% effective in preventing hiv.

The cdc says  "It should be noted that condom use cannot provide absolute protection against HIV."

This really worries me since i have had vaginal intercouse with 3 csw the last 6 months. I always used a condom and never had an obvious break.

Can teaak or someone with knowledge please explain why doctor EWH and the cdc say that.

THANKS

[joggen]

Here is a quote from Dr. Hook that explains why he uses 99.99% instead of 100%:

"As a generalization for both you and other readers, you must realize that we VERY frequently get questions asking if different types of test are 100% accurate or if exposures or prevention measures are 100% effective (while the questions are not posed in terms of sensitivity or specificity, but that is what is being discussed).  The answer to that is that it is scientifically impossible to be 100% sure.  For a variety of complex mathematical reasons far too complex to go into here, all one can do with well conducted scientific studies is estimate probabilities (this is in part because, unless you test every possible person, you cannot be "sure" that you would not have gotten a different answer).  By definition, any estimate, cannot be 100% certain.  On the other hand, when Dr. Handsfield or I say that something is very close to no risk or of minimal risk, or use any other term to indicate a very small risk, that means "close to zero" in a world where zero cannot be attained.  This just as there is chance that you will be struck by a meteorite while reading this, I am very confident that that will not be the case.  Can I be 100% confident about this, no but I am sufficiently confident that I can tell you that this is not going to happen."

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Im-confused--technical-questions-for-you/show/1196601

[Teak]

Condoms are listed by the FDA as medical devices and go thru quality control testing before being packaged.

[anyrisk]

I understand i didnt have a risk since my condom did not obiously break. Is it possible to afirm that all lated condoms no matter how cheap they are, are effective against hiv if they dont brake? I used a really cheap condom. It costos aroud 10 dolars for 150 condosm. They are chinese made and the brand name is plazzer. I bought them in south america.

Last post promise teak

I really appreciate your help.

One last thing. Taking in acount this new information, should i test or is there no need?

[Teak]

You didn't see it, it didn't happen and you didn't have a risk of contracting HIV.

[anyrisk]

Thank you teak but what about what says in this link:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/prevention.htm

 "It should be noted that condom use cannot provide absolute protection against HIV."

1. why would Dr EWH say it is 99.99 effective in preventig hi?

2. Can i be confident that if i did not see an obvious brake in the condom (although i didnt look closely when i removes it) it did not break and therefore i have no risk for hiv?

[Teak]

http://www.cdc.gov/condomeffectiveness/latex.htm
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Including HIV Infection, Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, consistent and correct use of latex condoms reduces the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including diseases transmitted by genital secretions, and to a lesser degree, genital ulcer diseases. Condom use may reduce the risk for genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV-associated diseases, e.g., genital warts and cervical cancer.
Laboratory studies have demonstrated that latex condoms provide an essentially impermeable barrier to particles the size of STD pathogens.


If condoms are used correctly and consistently they are 100% effective in preventing HIV.