there is evidence that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be transmitted via oral sex (the risk is much lower than in anal or vaginal sex) (1)
HIV transmission has occurred through
oral contact with the penis – fellatio
oral contact with the vagina - cunnilingus
oral – anal contact – anilingus (1)
the evidence suggests that there is a significant seroconversion risk associated with receptive fellatio - it is theoretically plausible that receptive fellatio with ejaculation into the mouth from an HIV infected partner would involve exposure to the greatest amount of HIV
there have been reports of transmission via insertive as well as receptive fellatio. There have also been two reports of transmission via cunnilingus
the possibility of HIV transmission through oral sex may be increased if a person has
oral ulcers, bleeding gums
genital sores
other STD’s (1)
HIV has been isolated from an infected woman's menstrual blood. There is limited evidence that vaginal intercourse during a woman's menses increases the risk of female to male transmission of HIV - it is plausible that cunnilingus during a menses could pose a greater risk than at other times
the relative rarity of HIV transmission via oral sex is likely to be because there are relatively few cases where oral exposure can be identified as the only risk factor and the tendency to ascribe HIV transmission to any high risk exposure that can be identified
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.