A. An excellent question, which may never be answered to EVERYONES satisfaction.
It is known that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which causes AIDS is found in bodily fluids. It is also known that the amount, or concentration of virus found in those fluids is not the same. Is HIV found in saliva? Yes, it is. Is it the same concentration as in the sperm? Not even close!
There has never been a documented case, to my knowledge, of a case of HIV transmission based ONLY on contact with infected saliva. But that's not what you asked.
In the case of a women, or a man, performing oral sex on a man with HIV, there is the chance of transmission of HIV if the man ejaculates in her mouth (and lets NOT forget about the pre-ejaculate bits of sperm, also containing HIV, which often are discharged without the man knowing), theoretically. Chances would be much higher if she has an open cut in or around her mouth, throat, etc. The virus needs a portal of entry to the blood stream in order to infect her.
In the case of a man, or a woman, performing oral sex on a woman with HIV, there IS HIV documented in the vaginal secretions, so again, theoretically, transmission to the man is possible. Again, chances are much higher if he has an open sore in or around his mouth, throat, etc.
As for transmission of HIV to the recipient of the oral sex by the person performing the oral sex, now you're looking at the chances of transmission via saliva, and again, that's never been documented (ie. no cases from kissing, even the deep stuff). But there's a glitch to all this.
You see, to PROVE that a case of HIV was transmitted via oral sex, you'd have to rule out transmission by any other way, including regular intercourse. Let's face it, it's rare to see a couple that practices oral sex ONLY with no other form of sexual contact capable of transmitting HIV (regular intercourse, anal intercourse, other methods of transferring bodily fluids...) And it's not like you could design a study where half the people only have oral sex, while the other half do whatever they like, and you compare. It's just not possible to study. So for the die-hard scientists, it'll be hard to say no, you can't get HIV from oral sex. But for the practical majority, well, you have to understand the above.
There are the suggestions of using dental dams or condoms during oral sex, but most find that difficult to practice. Like everything when it comes to HIV, you must inform yourself, practice safer sex (if you're having sex), and make your own decisions.
TIP: If you plan on making multiple queries, you might wish to make a bookmark to this page.
home |
statistics | browse
women | men |
adolescent | sex |
family | cool