Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. I have read alot about odds of getting HIV through one unprotected heterosexual contact but what about protected? What about having sex once w/a condom? What are the odds then?
Rodger MacArthur, M.D.
Wayne State University
Division of Infectious Diseases
The chances of contracting HIV infection while wearing a latex condom are approximately zero. There is a slight chance of infection if the condom is not worn properly, slips off, or breaks. Note that only latex (synthetic rubber) condoms prevent the transmission of HIV and other pathogens; sheepskin condoms and other similar (animal-derived) condoms allow the passage of the virus through the condom.
The estimated risk of acquiring HIV infection through one episode of unprotected vaginal-insertive intercourse is approximately 1 in 200 to 1 in 1000. The risk is estimated because it would be unethical to do an actual experiment to determine the odds. Note that it probably is easier for a female to acquire HIV in this fashion from a male than for a male to acquire it from a female. The reason for this difference is that the male deposits a collection of virus-laden fluid in the female, which is in contact with the vaginal mucosa for a prolonged period of time.
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