HIV and oral sex; a matter of HIV risk and HIV transmission. The answer to this question may surprise you. The risk of oral sex is not well documented but does exist. While many consider oral sex the "safe sex" the facts tell a different story. Is there an HIV risk with oral sex? The answer to this question of HIV transmission may surprise you.
Simply put, the answer is yes. It's possible for you to become infected with HIV while receiving oral sex, but certainly the risk is extremely low. The scenario that would lead to HIV transmission of this sort is very rare and the chance of it occurring is remote. If your partner has HIV, blood from small cuts or open sores in their mouth may enter the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis), the vagina, the anus, or directly into the body through small cuts or open sores. While no one knows exactly what the degree of risk is, evidence suggests that the risk is much less than that of unprotected anal or vaginal sex.
What Behaviors Have the Most Risk for HIV Transmission?
Protect Yourself
While there is a small risk in this scenario, there are ways to protect yourself during oral sex. The key to protecting yourself is condoms.- Use a latex condom during each oral, vaginal or anal sexual encounter.
- If you or your partner is allergic to latex, a plastic (polyurethane) condom should be used.
Important Note!
Lambskin condoms do not offer protection against HIV and therefore should not be used.
Research has shown latex condoms used correctly are effective in preventing the transmission of HIV. Condoms do not eliminate the risk entirely but they greatly reduce your risk of becoming HIV-infected.
Protection for Women
Women who engage in oral sex should:- use a latex barrier - a dental dam between the mouth of their partner and the vagina.
- plastic food wrap can also be used as a barrier to reduce the risk of blood entering the body through the vagina.
- commercially available female condoms are also available at your local pharmacy.
The Step-by-Step Way to Insert a Female Condom
