Man with a condom on can still be infected with an STD?

  • Context: Medical 
  • Thread starter Thread starter iBop
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of a man being infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) while using a condom. It explores various aspects of condom effectiveness, risks associated with improper use, and the nature of different STDs.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that condoms can tear or leak, and improper use increases the risk of STD transmission.
  • It is noted that condoms may not protect against herpes if lesions are in uncovered areas.
  • One participant cites the CDC, emphasizing that while correct and consistent condom use can reduce STD risk, no method is 100% effective.
  • Another participant mentions that HIV is less infectious than Hepatitis-B, which may have higher infection rates.
  • Some participants assert that there is always a possibility of contracting an STD, even with condom use.
  • Concerns are raised about the risks associated with actions prior to condom application, such as foreplay and hand contamination.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of sterile technique when putting on a condom to avoid contamination.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there is a possibility of STD transmission even with condom use, but multiple competing views remain regarding the effectiveness of condoms and the conditions under which they may fail.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the effectiveness of condoms against various STDs and the implications of improper use, highlighting the need for correct application techniques.

iBop
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Is there any possibility that a man with a condom on can still be infected with an STD ?

-Bobbie Hu
 
Biology news on Phys.org


A condom can always tear or leak; also when worn incorrectly one may be at risk. Generally condoms are however one of the safest methods of protection.

And of course, as always: when in doubt, see a doctor.
 


Condoms may not protect against herpes if the lesion is in an area that is not covered by the condom.
 


The CDC says:
The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and you know is uninfected.

For persons whose sexual behaviors place them at risk for STDs, correct and consistent use of the male latex condom can reduce the risk of STD transmission. However, no protective method is 100 percent effective, and condom use cannot guarantee absolute protection against any STD. Furthermore, condoms lubricated with spermicides are no more effective than other lubricated condoms in protecting against the transmission of HIV and other STDs. In order to achieve the protective effect of condoms, they must be used correctly and consistently. Incorrect use can lead to condom slippage or breakage, thus diminishing their protective effect. Inconsistent use, e.g., failure to use condoms with every act of intercourse, can lead to STD transmission because transmission can occur with a single act of intercourse.

The World Health Organization says:
The most convincing data on the effectiveness of condoms in preventing HIV infection has been generated by prospective studies undertaken on serodiscordant couples, when one partner is infected with HIV and the other is not. These studies show that, with consistent condom use, the HIV infection rate among uninfected partners was less than 1 percent per year. Also, in situations where one partner is definitely infected, inconsistent condom use can be as risky as not using condoms at all.

I will add that HIV is much less infectious than, say, Hepatitis-B; the infection rates there might be an order of magnitude higher. Of course infection rates without condoms are higher yet. Unfortunately I haven't seen good comparative statistics; has anyone else?
 


CRGreathouse said:
I will add that HIV is much less infectious than, say, Hepatitis-B; the infection rates there might be an order of magnitude higher. Of course infection rates without condoms are higher yet. Unfortunately I haven't seen good comparative statistics; has anyone else?

HVB do not attack HIS, its main target is the liver. People infected with HVB may later die of liver problems. It is a cureable disease
 


Since the question is "is there any possibility"

The answer is: yes, there is a possibility.
 


iBop said:
HVB do not attack HIS, its main target is the liver.

I agree -- I only said it is more infectious than HIV. HIV is not very infectious, and extremely fragile as far as viruses go.
 


Having sex with an HIV infected partner without a condom is known to be infected for sure. Noone 'cares' to do that anyway.
 


The answer is "YES"! There is always a possibility to get an STD, that's why the best choice is to just practice being abstinent. It's the best way to be safe :biggrin:
 
  • #10


iBop,

1) It's really what you do before you have the condom on that can make things risky. All that rubbing and foreplay n stuff moves fluids around--men and women.

Ask someone else here what STDs you can get with oral sex. Or even toughing your hand to your mouth. I'm not a medial man.

2) Anyway, if your hands are contaminated, what are you going to use to put on a condom?

3) Puting on a condom requires some precision for sterile techinique. You roll it down without touching anything but the condom, if done correctly. Now, if you have an STD, and your fingers slip while rolling it down, there could be STD on your fingers. So you keep rolling and your fingers move some to the outside of the condom. You blew it. You're supposed to start over with a fresh condom if your practicing sterile technique.

4) And there's more. You can't let it roll back. That recontacts the inside with the outside.

Now why don't you MD types know how to answer this? ; I'm just strolling through this thread.
 

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