Question
Is it easy to catch HIV from oral vaginal sex?
21 October 2008. Related: All topics, HIV transmission, Starting treatment.
I’m female and HIV-positive with a T-cell count of 571 and a viral load of 6,600. In another week, I will have to begin Combivir and Isentress, because my platelet count is 80 and dropping.
The question that I have is regarding a male friend who is negative and aware of my status. I try so hard to be careful that at times I think that I’ve become obsessed with protecting us and I’m not enjoying sex at all because I’m so frightened.
When it comes to him performing oral sex on me, how likely could he contract the virus if I didn’t use dental dams and all that other stuff to cover my vaginal and anus area?
Answer
The risk is very low and is probably zero if your partner has no problems in his mouth. No cases of HIV transmission have been reported from an HIV-negative man having given oral sex to an HIV-positive women.
The risk would increase if he has some oral infections, bleeding gums, cuts or ulcers etc especially if this was close to your period.
The good news is that the risk will be substantially reduced when you start treatment and your viral load becomes undetectable.
Hope this helps.