Question
Can I get HIV from oral sex?
15 January 2018. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
I’m a male, 30 years old. Yesterday, I had unprotected oral sex with a female who I don’t know her HIV status. I only had oral sex with her. She gave me a blowjob.
I am afraid that if she has HIV, I will be at risk of HIV infection. I’m so worried. Do I need to get HIV test?
Thank you very much!
Answer
Thank you for your question.
You cannot get HIV from oral sex this way. Anyone who is receiving a blowjob is not at risk. You also cannot get HIV from giving a woman oral sex.
Although up to 5% of HIV infections might be giving someone a blowjob, this probably depends on two factors. One is that viral load need to be very high in the positive partner and the second it that the negative partner probably need to have mouth problems, for example if they have bleeding gums, a cut in their mouth or recent dental work.
More information about HIV sexual transmission is included in this guide, which has a section on oral sex.
This answer was updated in January 2018 from an original Q&A from July 2010. i-Base no longer answers individual questions about HIV transmission and risk. (See: Question 1 at this link).
Comments to this Q&A are now closed.
Hi.
I received a blowjob about 2 weeks ago and I am worried I might have HIV as I am unsure of whether my partner does or doesn’t have HIV. I just received the blowjob and did not return any favors. Is there still a chance that I might get infected.
I did go for an HIV test about 3 days after it occurred and it can out negative, although the doctor did tell me I need to come back in 3 months for another check up?
Hi Guilherme,
Please see Q1 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Hi,
I would like to know what is the chance of having the infection if I just touched her vagina with my penis, there was no penetration at all.
Thanks
Hi Lornah,
Can I just confirm, do you have an undetectable viral load? If you do see Q9 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
Even if you don’t its still OK to give and receive oral sex.
I am going to be in relationship.and was tested positive.but the virus load is very high and can’t be detected.how much i protect my partner can i give him a blow job and can he lick down there is it safe?
Hi Safalta,
Please see the above post and Q9 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions
I have am HIV positive.. Though I have had sex with my partner.. But i am worried that she might have contracted HIV during blowjob.. If i am HIV positive will she contract HIV during a blowjob?
Hi Raymond,
If your girlfriend is on medication and her viral load is undetectable, the risk of transmission is close to zero. Please see here for more info:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
If she isn’t on medication, or her viral load is detectable, then to reduce the risk of transmission you shoould use condoms or PrEP. For more info about PrEP please see here:
http://i-base.info/pep-and-prep/
It might help to know that its common for someone to be negative and be in a relationship with someone who is positive.
Hi I just found out that my girlfriend is HIV positive.. I’m HIV negative. What is the risk of being infected with the virus? I love her so much, but I’m worried about her status.
Hi Mr X,
Please see Q1 here:
http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions