CDC HIV/AIDS Facts
Oral Sex Is Not Risk Free
Like all sexual activity, oral sex carries some risk of HIV transmission when one partner is known to be infected with HIV, when either partner’s HIV status is not known, and/or when one partner is not monogamous or injects drugs. Even though the risk of transmitting HIV through oral sex is much lower than that of anal or vaginal sex, 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 altogether 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. However, by using condoms or other barriers between the mouth and genitals, individuals can reduce their risk of contracting HIV or another STD through oral sex.
June 2009
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 contact with the vagina. 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 only limited 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 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 less than the risk of HIV transmission from anal or vaginal sex. Measuring the exact risk of HIV transmission as a result of oral sex is very difficult. Additionally, because 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 may increase the risk of HIV transmission through oral sex, including: oral ulcers, bleeding gums, genital sores, and the presence of other STDs. What is known is that HIV has been transmitted through fellatio, cunnilingus, and anilingus.
Page 1
1.800.CDC.INFO(232.4636) In English, en Español 24 Hours/Day
cdcinfo@cdc.gov www.cdc.gov/hiv
Other STDs Can Also Be Transmitted From Oral Sex
In addition to HIV, other STDs can be transmitted through oral sex with an infected partner. Examples of these STDs include herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts (HPV), intestinal parasites (amebiasis), and hepatitis A.
Oral Sex and Reducing the Risk of HIV Transmission
The consequences of HIV infection are life-long. If treatment is not initiated in a timely manner, HIV can be extremely serious and life threatening. However, there are steps you can take to lower the risk of getting HIV from oral sex. Generally, the use of a physical barrier during oral sex can reduce the risk of transmission of HIV and other STDs. A latex or plastic condom may be used on the penis to reduce the risk of oral-penile transmission. If your partner is a female, a cut-open condom or a dental dam can be used between your mouth and the vagina. Similarly, regardless of the sex of your partner, if your mouth will come in contact with your partner’s anus, a cut-open condom or dental dam can be used between your mouth and the anus. At least one scientific article has suggested that plastic food wrap may be used as a barrier to protect against herpes simplex virus during oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex. However, there are no data regarding the effectiveness of plastic food wrap in decreasing transmission of HIV and other STDs in this manner and it is not manufactured or approved by the FDA for this purpose.
HIV/AIDS RESOURCES
CDC HIV/AIDS www.cdc.gov/hiv CDC HIV/AIDS resources CDC-INFO 1-800-232-4636 Information about personal risk and where to get an HIV test CDC National HIV Testing Resources www.hivtest.org Location of HIV testing sites CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) 1-800-458-5231 www.cdcnpin.org CDC resources, technical assistance, and publications AIDSinfo 1-800-448-0440 www.aidsinfo.nih.gov Resources on HIV/AIDS treatment and clinical trials
CDC HIV/AIDS Facts
Page 2
Oral Sex and HIV Risk
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
There is no cure for this disease, but medical advancements have produced treatments and therapies that allow infected individuals to function fairly normally and extend life expectancy. AIDS can be spread through any sexual contact as well as through blood via transfusions or needle sharing and from a mother to fetus or newborn. Initial infection may present flu-like symptoms. These include: diarrhea, fever, headache, sores, muscle soreness, rashes, sore throat, night sweats and swollen glands. However, many diagnosed with HIV/AIDS may present with no symptoms. In addition, it can be as long as 10 years before the virus is detected after infection. Most who become infected with HIV will develop AIDS eventually. Once the virus had progressed that far the immune system is significantly compromised and the individual is susceptible to many other threatening illnesses, particularly opportunistic infections. The long term effects of this syndrome include a plethora of medication and therapy to attempt to protect the body from illness and infection. Also, it is important for the individual to be aware and careful to prevent infecting others (HIV/AIDS…
- 1942 Words
- 8 Pages
Better Essays -
In adolescence the major sexual act is masturbation. Adolescents use petting as a pathway to obtaining sexual satisfaction without the possibility of pregnancy or ending their virgin status. Premarital sex has increased mostly in females and very few adolescents report their sexual experience with individuals of the same sex. These encounters have been known to be transitory for the adolescent. Gay adolescents have a much harder time because of stigmatization of…
- 264 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The virus has been found in saliva of HIV infected people but saliva does not transmit HIV. If both partners have cuts or scores in the…
- 459 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
AIDS is caused by a retrovirus known as HIV, which infects and kills the T-cells of the body’s immune system. HIV destroys CD4 cells, which is a type of white blood cells that helps the body fight diseases. The more CD4 cells that die, the weaker your immune system will be. As the CD4 cells are destroyed by HIV, the body will begin to develop other infections that would not normally affect it therefore making those who suffer from AIDS unable to fight off infections. In order to become infected with HIV, vaginal secretions, semen, or infected blood must enter your body. A person can’t catch HIV from ordinary contact such as hugging, kissing, or even shaking hands. HIV can also not be transmitted through, water, air, or even a mosquito bite.…
- 1639 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays -
AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is related to HIV, but they are not the same at all. A person has AIDS only in the final stages of HIV, after the immune system becomes unable to defend itself against foreign invaders like bacteria, other viruses, and fungi, and allows for the development of certain cancers. As the virus (HIV) grows, it damages or kills most cells, weakening the immune system and leaving the individual vulnerable to various opportunistic infections and other illnesses, ranging from pneumonia to cancer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines someone as having a clinical diagnosis of AIDS if they have tested positive for HIV. It is very important that you always protect yourself from these types of illnesses. Each day there are Americans who are affected with this virus due to not taking care of themselves or unprotected sex which is the main cause of this disease. One out of 250 people are affected with this disease. Most of the time people who carry it do not even know that they are carrying it. You must always go get checked to be safe and make sure that you are not a carrier of the disease. A person who is HIV-infected carries the virus in certain body fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. The virus can be transmitted only if such HIV-infected fluids enter the bloodstream of another person. This kind of direct entry can occur (1) through the linings of the vagina, rectum, mouth, and the opening at the tip of the penis; (2) through intravenous injection with a syringe; or (3) through a break…
- 1879 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
- Salmonella. * Sexual Transmission - this refers to any disease that can be caught during sexual activity with another person, including vaginal sex or anal sex or (less commonly) through oral sex. Transmission is either directly between surfaces in contact during intercourse ( the usual route for bacterial infections and those infections cause sores) or from secretions (semen or the fluid by the excited female) which carry infectious agents that get into the partners blood stream through ting tears in the penis, vagina or rectum (this is a more usual route for viruses). In the second case, anal sex is considerably more hazardous since the penis opens more tears in the rectum than the vagina, as the vagina is more elastic and more accommodating. Some diseases transmissible by sexual route include (at least): - HIV/ AIDS.…
- 1774 Words
- 8 Pages
Good Essays -
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the leading cause of HIV infection among African American men is sexual contact with other men, followed by injection drug use and heterosexual contact (Brown, 2003). Amongst African American women:…
- 1042 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Herpes is one of the numerous sexual diseases that are caused by viruses. Aside from herpes, an individual who goes to have sex unprotected is also susceptible to acquiring genital warts, hepatitis, or worst, human immunodeficiency virus (HTD), which could worsen…
- 1663 Words
- 7 Pages
Best Essays -
Teens did not know their own bodies. There were little factual resources that teenagers can depend. Few choices left for them, teenagers were guided along high risk actions. Abstinence was the approved option by parents, as it teaches teens to not be sexually active but not on protection or STDS. Another path is exploration on their own means. Exploration was dangerous, because teenagers were unaware of the consequences. Both options plunged teens’ health into a abyss. Then around 1980s, media started to reach towards the topic of sexual activity in teenagers. Many teen movies brushed against the topic about sexual activity and gave more positive responses than usual. Now, there is a rapid increase in sexual activity amongst teens. Due to this rise of sexually active teens, sexual health programs in high schools need to be updated to accommodate this change. High schools need to avoid only abstinence learning and implemented new programs for…
- 549 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection. There are 40 types of HPV that can infect both males and females, causing infections in genitals, mouth and throat (STD, 2012). In most cases the person can be infected and not know. Which is why the government thinks it’s so important to be vaccinated as; people can infect another person without even knowing. The virus can be spread through any sort of sexual contact. Intercourse isn’t the only way to contract HPV, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Vaginal sexual intercourse, anal intercourse, oral sex or any contact with the genitals of someone infected with HPV is enough to contract the disease (Rodriguez, D 2011). The virus can also be contracted through open cuts or sores in the skin if contacted with someone sore who has the…
- 2027 Words
- 9 Pages
Good Essays -
AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - was first reported in the United States in 1981 and has since become a major worldwide epidemic. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By killing or damaging cells of the body's immune system, HIV progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers. People diagnosed with AIDS may get life-threatening diseases called opportunistic infections, which are caused by microbes such as viruses or bacteria that usually do not make healthy people sick. More than 790,000 cases of AIDS have been reported in the United States since 1981, and as many as 900,000 Americans may be infected with HIV. This epidemic is growing more rapidly among minority populations and…
- 3079 Words
- 13 Pages
Powerful Essays -
I picked Genital Herpes amongst the teenage population, because a lot of teens these days don’t think that STDs are a factor in their lives. A lot of them think they can’t get STDs and it couldn’t or wouldn’t happen to them, when in fact it can. Studies have represented that the genital herpes infection is most common in the United States, and over the past decade the percentage of Americans with this infection has remained stable. This infection is more common in women, one out of five women from the age group of 14 to 49 contract this infection, whereas the same age range is said to be contracted in about one out of nine men. Transmission from an infected male to his female partner is more likely than vice versa. There are two types of viruses, there is HSV-2 and HSV-1, these are found in and released from the sores that the viruses cause, but are released between outbreaks in skin that doesn’t seem to have a sore. Generally, the virus is contracted by sexual contact with someone who has the HSV-2 infection. The HSV-1 infection can cause genital herpes, but is common causes for mouth and lips infections, known as “fever blisters”. Teens should always use latex condoms to protect themselves from genital herpes and any other sexual transmittable diseases. There is no cure for this infection but it is treatable, keeping the outbreaks at bay in most cases. It is also as equally important to get yourself tested for STDs, to prevent yourself from future…
- 265 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The increasingly epidemic of HIV/AIDS has taken a toll on African American women and girls in the U. S. There are about 40,000 new infection cases every year with 1,200,000 individuals living with HIV/AIDS worldwide 300,000 which are women. Unfortunately, there is a huge portion of African American women and girls who are infected and are not receiving treatment, mainly because they are not aware of being infected (The Kaiser Family Foundation, 2007). Another main factor that has contributed to women and girls contacting HIV/AIDS is in the way the disease is being transmitted. Although the disease has always been transmitted primarily by sex, recent most submissions are through heterosexual activities. According to a surveillance report conducted by Dr. Harold Jaffe heterosexual activities account for 43% of the diagnoses in 2005, heterosexual transmission has risen from 3% in 1985 to 31% in 2005. There are…
- 719 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
“U.S. Teen Sexual Activity.” The Kaiser Family Foundation.org. The Henry J. Kaiser family Foundation, January 2005. Web. 23 April 2010.…
- 1205 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
The unconcerned side talks about how oral sex isn’t the “real thing”, meaning it’s not really sex. Another point that was brought to attention was the fact that many adults themselves have oral sex regularly. If this is being done between grown men and women, it shouldn’t be surprising if teens consider doing it. It’s also brought to the reader’s attention that it used to be taught that in order to reduce risk of contracting a disease could be achieved through non-intercourse sex. This is probably why many teens today consider oral sex better than actually having sex. With that said, although the potentially negative health consequences of oral sex are not as high compared to sexual intercourse, there is no guarantee of being risk free.…
- 660 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays