European researchers at the conference in Geneva reported similar cases, and a magazine article described the case of a man in the US who believed he had recently infected his lover with drug resistant virus. Thus, the theoretical concerns voiced about transmission of resistant virus when protease inhibitors first came to market are now proven facts. The need for careful adherence to therapy regimens and the need to pick the most appropriate regimen in the first place is now dramatically emphasized. Despite these disturbing data, it's important not to stir public panic over the issue. We do not know whether such transmission is or will ever be common.
All researchers can say for sure is that it has happened a few times.
Undoubtedly, there are more cases that have not been studied or reported, but it would be a mistake to believe that such transmission has become a routine occurrence. It is far too early to define the scope of the public health issues concerned. This has become a critical question because many have convinced themselves that sexual precautions are not necessary between two positive partners. Somewhere, many people acquired the belief that infection with one strain prevented later infection by a different or mutated strain. In light of the new findings from the Options Project proving the transmissibility of multiple mutated HIV, it is critical research be done to determine whether such drug-resistant virus is also being passed back and forth between infected partners.