Question
What is the risk of HIV transmission through oral sex?
5 February 2018. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, South Africa.
First of all my thanks to everyone at i-Base!
I have a question regarding transmission. I am HIV positive and have a low viral load (under 250) and am not yet on medication. I always use condoms for anal intercourse but my questions relate to oral sex.
From what I’ve read, the risk increases:
• if the insertive partner has a high viral load.
• if the receptive partner has infections in the mouth or cuts, gum disease, has had recent dental work etc
• if the receptive partner takes semen in the mouth
Also, if the HIV positive receptive partner has blood in the mouth – could they possibly infect a negative partner
I can only find terms such as ‘low risk, very low’ but this all seems subjective. Low compared to the risk of unprotected intercourse doesn’t really mean much. Does that mean that with an undetectable/low/mid/high viral load that condoms should always be used or that if you avoid the higher risk scenarios unprotected oral sex is considered safe? I guess it all relates to the level of risk someone is willing to accept so I was hoping you might have some data e.g. percentage risk per act etc.
I read that there was a Spanish study reporting no seroconversions from 19,000 exposures over 10 years in serodiscordant couples and other reports saying that up to 5% of infections could be attributed to oral sex. Are there any recent studies to clarify the level of risk and also which reports would you regard as the most accurate?
I’ve recently met a great guy and it’s come to the point that I want to disclose my status. I’m hoping this might allow us both to put the level of risk into perspective.
Many thanks in advance and best wishes
Answer
Thank you for your question.
HIV is not easily transmitted by oral sex – and it probably needs ALL the factors you listed. For example, the positive partner would have to have a very high viral load AND the negative partner would have to have oral concerns like bleeding gums or recent dental work.
There are no cases of people catching HIV from receiving oral sex (from a person who has blood in their mouth). This is zero risk.
Your viral load is currently very low, which make any risk incredibly low. If your viral load was undetectable on treatment, the risk would be zero for all types of sex.
In 2018, HIV treatment is routinely recommended for anyone who is HIV positive. This, together with the evidence that undetectable viral load prevents transmission has dramatically changed more discussions about HIV risk. A review of this evidence is at this link:
https://i-base.info/htb/32308
This booklet has more information about sexual transmission, including a section on oral sex:
https://i-base.info/guides/testing
For any further information please contact us via the website, e-mail or through the treatment information phoneline (Mon-Wed 12-4pm).
Best wishes for the future with your new partner.
Note: This answer was updated in February 2018 from a question first posted online in April 2010.
Hi i received an blowjob from a stranger.. i accidently pulled my fore skin and its bleed i dint saw it due to dark and i kept in stranger mouth like once after we realized that im bleeding we stopped …. Is there any chance of transmission
Hi Sd, there is no risk of HIV. Please follow this link for information about transmission: https://i-base.info/guides/testing
After ejaculation bottom of my penis tip t(not urethra) touched on the lip of a woman just one or two seconds. Is there any possibility of getting hiv? If she has sores on the lips because I saw yellow lips. May be that’s due to cold because it was happened winter season in canada.
Hi Henry, gay sex in of itself does not transmit HIV. It is likely the person you had sex with was HIV negative. Even so, oral sex presents a very minimal chance of transmission.
I had gay oral sex from unknown status partner. Noticed abrasion on penis. Scared of hiv
Hi D k, please do not worry. You cannot catch HIV from someone sucking your penis. It doesn’t matter if he is negative or positive.
I meet gay man he suck my penis for 15 minutes – only blowjob. I don’t know about his history of HIV. After this incident I am mentally disturbed. What is chance of getting hiv from this. If he is positive.
Hi Red,
Please read Simon’s answer above, and look at the links, including this one about oral sex.
Dear Sirs,
I am very worried about getting HIV from oral sex without condom lightly with sex worker in Belgium , it was all after massage service . The agency say that all the girls are all checked properly but my question is , can saliva infect the penis with HIV have infectious viral load if she have got recently the virus ( 10 to 15 days ). Or the Saliva always doesn’t have the viral load that is necessary for infection.
I feel since 3 weeks till now that my body temperature is always 37.2. after I went back to my home in different country , I have had runny nose in day 3 and ends in day 5 . I felt some rash on my head back under the hair with some white heads. I asked a doctor he told me maybe because of the material she was using and I remembered that she was scratching my head during the massage.
I remember that during the massage she put high amount of saliva on the tip of the head of my penis. I am Worried, and have very intense fear . I have had also now sore throat . why all those symptoms I have had . I read always oral sex very low risk but I am having these symptoms which turns my life to hell. I am now only at the 3 weeks aways from that bad moment . please help .
Hi Nad,
Please have a look at the links on the reply above, including this one about oral sex.