· There have been no published studies measuring the risk of HIV from oral sex.

· There have been documented cases of men getting infected from sucking.

· There have been no recorded cases of getting HIV from being sucked.

· There have been no reported cases of getting infected from rimming.

· It is estimated that 30-39% - nearly 1/3 - of the men who have sex with men in San Francisco are infected with HIV.

· Sores and blisters (usually on the lips, genitals or anus) are extremely infectious

· Easily passed by sucking, getting sucked, rimming and licking/being licked

· In many cases the herpes virus can be passed when no symptoms are present

· Nearly 7 out of every 10 Americans have Oral Herpes, often acquired non-sexually during childhood {ie "cold sores")

· At least 45 million Americans have Genital Herpes, about 1 out of every 5 people

· Easily passed through contact with open sores (chancres) on the penis, anus or mouth

· Transmitted through all types of oral sex

· Also passed through contact with mucus patches in the mouth

· Currently (July 1999) the rates for syphilis are low in San Francisco, however, in many cities syphilis is returning among men who have sex with men

· When passed through oral sex, gonorrhea is usually transmitted from the penis into the throat while sucking cock

· It also can be passed from an infected throat to a penis while getting sucked

· The number of reported gonorrhea cases among men who have sex with men has dropped since the early 1980's but has recently increased

· No studies have been done measuring the risk of oral transmission However, doctors at SF City Clinic frequently treat cases of orally transmitted NGU

· NGU can be passed from both sucking and getting sucked

· Currently (June 1999) the number of reported NGU among men who have sex with men is low in San Francisco

· No reliable studies have been done that measure the risk of oral transmission

· Chlamydia can be found in the throat

· It is becoming more common among gay men

· About 4% or 1 in 25 of men who have sex with men seen at SF City Clinic are infected.

· Most men have no symptoms

· It is unknown how easy it is to transmit the genital wart virus through oral sex

· Can be passed by all types of oral sex

· Warts usually appear on the penis or in the anus but may occur in or around the mouth or lips

· Genital warts are one of the most common STDs

· Check for wart-like growths on the l)enis, anus or lips of a sex partner. NOTE: Genital warts are sometimes too small to be easily seen.

· Intestinal parasites are easily passed through rimming

· Sucking and getting sucked are low risk unless you swallow fecal matter (shit) when sucking

· Rates for these diseases are currently low (July1999).

· However, most cases in San Francisco occur among men who have sex with men.

· Hepatitis A is very easily passed through rimming

· Sucking is low risk unless you swallow fecal matter (shit) when sucking

· Get vaccinated

· However rates for hepatitis A have been steadily increasing in San Francisco (June 1999) and most cases in San Francisco occur among men who have sex with men.

· No studies have measured the risk of transmission through oral sex.

· Transmission primarily through unprotected anal sex

· Get vaccinated

· Cases of Hepatitis B among men who have sex with men have dropped significantly in San Francisco since 1985. This may be due to increased practice of safer sex techniques for anal sex and vaccination

"How can I reduce my risk?" - for sucking & getting sucked

Any of these methods can reduce your risk for STDs and HIV. Some are more effective than others. · For maximum protection, use non-lubricated latex condoms If you don't like the taste, try flavored condoms.