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What You Should Know about Oral Sex

March 22, 2007

Like all sexual activity, oral sex carries some risk, particularly when one partner or the other is known
to be infected with HIV, when either partner’s HIV status is not known, and/or when one or the other
partner is not monogamous or injects drugs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that oral sex can
result in the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Abstaining
from oral, anal, and vaginal sex all together or having sex only with a mutually monogamous,
uninfected partner are the only ways that individuals can be completely protected from the sexual
transmission of HIV.

Oral Sex is a Common Practice
Oral sex involves giving or receiving oral stimulation (i.e. sucking or licking) to the penis, the vagina,
and/or the anus. Fellatio is the technical term used to describe oral contact with the penis. Cunnilingus
is the technical term which describes oral-vaginal sex. Anilingus (sometimes called “rimming”) refers
to oral-anal contact. Studies indicate that oral sex is commonly practiced by sexually active male-female
and same-gender couples of various ages, including adolescents.

Although there are onlylimited national data about how often adolescents engage in oral sex, some data
suggest that many adolescents who engage in oral sex do not consider it to be sex; therefore they may
use oral sex as an option to experience sex while still, in their minds, remaining abstinent. Moreover, many
consider oral sex to be a safe or no risk sexual practice. In a recent national survey of teens conducted for
The Kaiser Family Foundation, 26% of sexually active 15 to 17 year olds surveyed responded that one
“cannot become infected with HIV by having unprotected oral sex”, and an additional 15% didn’t
know whether or not one could become infected in that manner.

Oral Sex and the Risk of HIV Transmission
The risk of HIV transmission from an infected partner through oral sex is much smaller than the risk
of HIV transmission from anal or vaginal sex. Because of this, measuring the exact risk of HIV
transmission as a result of oral sex is very difficult. In addition, since most sexually active individuals
practice oral sex in addition to other forms of sex, such as vaginal and/or anal sex, when transmission
occurs, it is difficult to determine whether or not it occurred as a result of oral sex or other more risky
sexual activities. Finally, several co-factors can increase the risk of HIV transmission through oral sex,
including: oral ulcers, bleeding gums, genital sores, and the presence of other STDs.

When scientists describe the risk of transmitting an infectious disease, like HIV, the term “theoretical
risk” is often used. Very simply, “theoretical risk” means that passing an infection from one person to
another is possible, even though there may not yet be any actual documented cases. “Theoretical risk”
is not the same as likelihood. In other words, stating that HIV infection is “theoretically possible” does
not necessarily mean it is likely to happen—only that it might. Documented risk, on the other hand, is
used to describe transmission that has actually occurred, been investigated, and documented in the
scientific literature.

Other STDs Can Also Be Transmitted From Oral Sex
Scientists have documented a number of other sexually transmitted diseases that have also been
transmitted through oral sex. Herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts (HPV), intestinal parasites
(amebiasis), and hepatitis A are examples of STDs which can be transmitted during oral sex with an
infected partner.

Reducing the Risk of HIV Transmission Through Oral Sex
The consequences of HIV infection are life-long, life-threatening, and extremely serious. You can
lower any already low risk of getting HIV from oral sex by using latex condoms each and every time.
Barrier methods for use during cunnilingus and anilingus have not been evaluated. However, natural
rubber latex sheets, dental dams, cut-open condoms, or plastic wrap may offer some protection from
contact with body fluids and possibly reduce the risk of HIV. Because anal and vaginal sex are much
riskier and because most individuals who engage in unprotected (i.e. without a condom) oral sex also
engage in unprotected anal and/or vaginal sex, the exact proportion of HIV infections attributable to
oral sex alone is unknown, but is likely to be very small. This has led some people to believe that oral
sex is completely safe. It is not.

Source: Preventing the Sexual Transmission of HIV, the Virus that Causes AIDS
What You Should Know about Oral Sex; HIV/AIDS Update from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), December 2000; http://www.cdcnpin.org/Updates/oralsex.pdf

Posted at 09:02 AM by Shantrie in the Safer Sex category/ies.