Does precum trasmit HIV

[Shanghaimoon]

Dear doctors,
Some doctors say precum does not contain enough virus so it can not transmit HIV, some say it is only theoretically possible for precum to transmit HIV, what is the truth? Please help me answer, thanks very much

[RubyWitch]

If they have, I don't know about it. Also, consider this, if pre cum was a REAL risk for contracting HIV, there would be many, many more cases of HIV than we already have.

I am including the words of Dr. Hunter H. Handsfield, MD, who is a renowned HIV expert:

"The reason for conflicting information about pre-cum exposure is that there are few data available, and I do not personally know of any particular research studies.This allows for a lot of variable advice based on personal opinion or common sense (and sometimes on common nonsense).

My analysis?  Pre cum presents at most a tiny theoretical risk, not a practical one.  Since oral exposure is extremely low risk even with ejaculation, it must be vanishingly small without it, probably zero."

So, from this expert, you have pretty much the same answer I gave you. The risk is VERY low..........Dr, Hunter says "the risk is EXTREMELY LOW." But please note that he STILL uses the word "RISK." He also says the risk is "PROBABLY ZERO."

LOW RISK and PROBABLY ZERO still do NOT equal NO RISK.

Hope this helped

[Shanghaimoon]

I understand now, it's lower risk but not no risk, can I ask one more question? Has there been a case where someone get infected through Precum? Thank you very much

[RubyWitch]

Please do not hijack someone else's thread. Please post your question(s) in your own post.

Thank you very much

RW

  

[RubyWitch]

The risk for contracting HIV from pre cum IS significantly lower than contracting HIV from sperm.........but there is STILL a risk.

A LOWER RISK DOES NOT EQUAL NO RISK.

Do you understand now?

[Shanghaimoon]

Thank you very much, Ruby Witch, I read that sentence before, but since English is my second language, i can't fully comprehend the meaning of the sentence, the way I see it, it does say the concentration of HIV is not high enough, so there is no significant risk, is no significant risk equal to no risk? Thanks very much for clearing my doubt.

[RubyWitch]

The debate continues regarding the DEGREE to which pre cum is a risk for transmitting HIV. One fact is certain.........it can and does happen.

The small drops of fluid that may come out of the penis during sexual arousal, and before ejaculation (pre-cum), OFTEN contain HIV, but the concentration of HIV in pre-cum is USUALY not high enough to pose a SIGNIFICANT risk of infection.

Please read that very carefully. While it definitely makes the case that pre cum IS a lower risk for transmission, it does NOT say it there is NO RISK.

A risk, no matter how small, is still a risk.
That is the truth as I know it.