Oral Sex and HIV Risk
Oral sex, which involves using the mouth to stimulate the penis (fellatio), vagina (cunnilingus), or anus (anilingus), carries a risk of transmitting HIV, albeit a very low one. The risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is much lower than with anal or vaginal sex.
Transmission Mechanism
HIV is transmitted between people when the fluids of one person come into contact with the bloodstream of another. This contact can occur from a cut or broken skin, or through the tissues of the vagina, rectum, foreskin, or the opening of the penis. The bodily fluids that can transmit HIV include blood, semen, pre-ejaculatory fluid (pre-cum), breast milk, rectal fluid, and vaginal fluid.
Risk Factors
Certain factors can increase the risk of HIV transmission through oral sex. These include sores in the mouth or vagina or on the penis, bleeding gums, oral contact with menstrual blood, and the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Risk for Different Types of Oral Sex
– Fellatio (oral-penile sex): If you’re giving a blowjob, there’s a potential risk, especially if pre-cum or semen from an HIV-positive person enters the mouth. The risk is much lower for insertive oral sex.
– Cunnilingus (oral-vaginal sex): There are no documented cases of HIV transmission through cunnilingus. However, if a person receiving cunnilingus is menstruating and HIV-positive, there’s a potential chance of transmission.
– Anilingus (oral-anal sex): Anilingus, or “rimming,” is said to have a very low risk of transmission.
Prevention
Medications, condoms, and dental dams are all methods that can help prevent HIV transmission. Using a barrier like a condom or dental dam during oral sex can further reduce the risk of transmitting HIV, other STDs, and hepatitis. The risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is even lower if the HIV-negative partner is taking medicine to prevent HIV (pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP) or the HIV-positive partner is taking medicine to treat HIV (antiretroviral therapy or ART) and is virally suppressed.
Conclusion
While the risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is low, it is not zero. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take appropriate precautions. If you suspect you have had exposure to the virus, you should take an HIV test right away..
