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How protective are condoms against HIV?

Dr LM Nath
Consultant, Community Medicine,
New Delhi

Q: I want to know about precautions for AIDS If anybody (male) uses condom, during intercourse and condom does not break and slip off, then can we contract the virus? We hear that HIV virus is smaller than the pores of condoms and can make its way through the condom and hence affect me.

A:Modern condoms meet very stringent standards and the Latex condoms made in India meet these standards. The virus cannot pass through the pores in the latex. Incidentally, the standards were revised and are safe against HIV.Please keep in mind that, as you have yourself mentioned, condoms can tear/break or slip off so they are not 100% safe in the long run.