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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
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HIV infection is most commonly passed by sexual transmission. The most common ways it is passed is through vaginal or rectal intercourse. There is a common but false perception that oral sex is safer than other types of sexual activity when it comes to HIV transmission. HIV is passed through oral sex as well other sexual activities.
Each type of sexual activity has a different level of risk:
So it is possible to acquire HIV infection through oral sex.
With so many well documented cases of HIV transmission through oral sex, it is important to take precautions.
Barrier methods: The current recommendations call for the use of dental dams or other barrier methods, to prevent the passage of bodily fluids into the partner's mucosal membranes. HIV can be isolated for oral secretions in low levels, but it is not unusual to have small amounts of blood and ulcerations from periodontal disease or the simple act of flossing and teeth brushing.
How safe is protected sex: It is safer than unprotected sex. The use of barrier methods decreases the chances of HIV transmission but not to zero. For example occasional rupture of the condoms may allow the transmission of HIV and other STDS.
What about kissing: No cases of transmission of HIV through kissing have been documented, and it is considered a safe practice, but no contact between bodily fluids and mucosa is 100% safe.
This article is a NetWellness exclusive. 
Last Reviewed: Sep 05, 2008
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Carl Fichtenbaum, MD Associate Professor Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |
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Francisco Gomez, MD Assistant Professor Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |
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Please note: only your personal physician or other health professional you consult can best advise you on matters of your health based on your medical history, your family medical history, your medication history, and how information from any of these databases may apply to you. Neither University of Cincinnati (NetWellness) nor any party involved in creating, producing or delivering this web site shall be liable for any damages arising out of access to or use of this web site, or any errors or omissions in the content thereof. (More) 
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