Question
Oral sex with another man who is HIV-positive?
4 September 2007. Related: All topics, HIV reinfection (superinfection), HIV testing, HIV transmission.
I am a man and if I want to have oral sex with another man who is HIV positive, what kind of prevention do I have to take?
Answer
If you are also HIV-positive, and just have oral sex, very few people people would think you had to take any special precautions.
If you are HIV-negative, then oral sex is generally low risk, especially if your partner does not cum in your mouth, and it is even lower if he is on treatment with an undetectable viral load.
The risk goes up though if you have bleeding gums, ulcers, or micro-cuts from recently brushing you teeth.
If you are HIV-untested – then go get an HIV test to protect your own health and that of your future partners.
Different risks of oral sex are discussed in more detail on this London website for gay men.
The site contains information about other risks and other sexually transmitted infections.