Oral sex (blowjobs, giving head, cock-sucking, etc.) is a low risk activity compared with anal sex without condoms, but it does carry some risk. The risk can be reduced by using condoms, or avoiding getting semen (cum) in your mouth.
HIV transmission can occur through oral sex between guys.
There are a number of documented case reports which confirm that HIV transmission can occur during oral sex between guys.
What we don’t know:
We don't know exact how likely it is to get HIV from oral sex.
HIV transmission does not occur very often through oral sex - anal sex without condoms remains the highest risk sexual activity for transmitting HIV.
There is not enough evidence to specify the exact risk of HIV transmission during one episode of oral sex. Further, the risk increases if certain circumstances occur.
We do know from large studies that HIV transmission through oral sex happens sometimes, but not very often. We also know from these and other studies that anal sex without condoms carries a much greater risk.
We also know from the case reports involving HIV transmission during oral sex that particular circumstances increase the risk of HIV transmission occurring.
What we do know:
The risk of HIV transmission increases in particular circumstances
We know:
- HIV is transmitted through oral sex sometimes, but not very often;
- Transmission usually occurs from the person being sucked to the person sucking; and
- The risk of HIV transmission during oral sex increases if:
- The person being sucked has a high viral load (has lots of HIV in their blood);
- The person being sucked cums into the mouth of the other person;
- The inside of the mouth of the person being sucked is torn or cut in some way allowing HIV to enter. It is possible to have small cuts in your mouth and not know.
Things which make it more likely that the mouth will be torn or cut
There are a number of factors which make it more likely that tears will occur in your mouth during oral sex or that tears already exist.
These are:
- Having oral lesions, particularly from having other sexually transmitted infections
- Ulcers (which can be more common in people with HIV)
- Brushing or flossing teeth within two hours of activities such as unprotected oral sex
- Eating abrasive or spicy foods
- Dental disease
- Recent dental treatment
- Gingivitis (inflamed or bleeding gums)
- Certain prescribed and non-prescribed drugs which irritate oral tissues (eg.amphetamines such as speed, ecstacy)
- Allergies
- Trauma
- Piercings, such as tounge piercings
- Oral herpes
- Rough or very vigorous oral sex
Things you can do to make tears occurring in your mouth during oral sex less likely
- Avoid oral sex if you've:
- eaten in the last couple of hours
- recently brushed your teeth
- currently have any cuts, tears or lesions in your mouth (see above)
- Gargle with salty water to see if any stings occur. If they do, it is likely you have cuts in the mouth
- Have regular dental check-ups (and avoiding oral sex for a day after dental visits if necessary)
- Have regular sexual health check-ups including the mouth
- Ways of eliminating any risk
- Oral sex between partners of that are both don't have HIV carries no risk of HIV transmission.
- Using condoms eliminates any risk. Condoms are available in different colours and flavours.