Prevention: Correct & Consistent Condom Use
Used correctly and consistently, a condom will protect you from contracting HIV-infection/AIDS. A condom is the best barrier that is now available to prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections during sexual intercourse.
There are male condoms, and female condoms. Both are sold on St. Maarten in many different varieties. Note that lambskin condoms are not safe to use for protection against infection. Only latex and polyurethane condoms are protective.
Most condoms come with lubrication. If you prefer to use additional lubrication, always use so called water-based lubricants like KY-jelly. Never use Vaseline, oil or creams for additional lubrication, because they will weaken the condom and it may break more easily.
Use a new condom for every sex act, from start to finish. 1) Carefully remove condom from package. 2) If needed, rub condom with water or oil-based lubricant. 3) Hold the smallest ring part of the condom and squeeze. 4) Insert the condom as far as it will go. The condom should not be twisted. 5) Guide the penis inside the condom. 6) After sex, remove the condom by squeezing and twisting the outer ring. Pull it out and dispose of it safely.
Can Oral Sex Give You Cancer In Your Mouth Or Throat
Research is currently looking at the link between oral sex and mouth and throat cancer. Mouth and throat cancer has been linked to some types of virus called human papilloma virus , which can be passed on through sexual contact, including oral sex. These are not the same types of HPV that cause genital warts.
Is There Anything You Can Do To Prevent Transmission To A Partner
Absolutely!
Youll want to take the same precautions that you would for penetrative sex, and use barrier methods like condoms and dental dams.
And just to hammer it home: Discuss your status with your partner before gettin busy.
Early detection and treatment significantly reduces your risk for complications and infecting your partner, so see a healthcare provider for testing as soon as possible if you think you were exposed or have symptoms.
Symptoms to look out for:
- unusual discharge or bleeding from the vagina, penis, or anus
- itching or burning in the genital region
- painful intercourse
- bumps, warts, sores, or rashes in or around the genitals, anus, buttocks, or thighs
Some infections can also cause you to feel lousy with flu-like symptoms, or cause swollen lymph nodes in your groin or neck.
Enlarged lymph nodes are actually one of the first signs of HIV infection.
While good to know, keep in mind that other infections sexually transmitted and otherwise can also cause lymph nodes to swell.
To check for STIs, your healthcare provider will begin with a visual and manual exam to check for signs of infection. Laboratory tests using samples of your blood, urine, or fluids can be used to confirm an STI and detect any coinfections you might have.
Different infections become detectable at different times, depending on their incubation period. Your doctor may schedule other tests at a later date.
That depends on your results.
Recommended Reading: Does Nba Youngboy Have Aids
Whats The Risk For Types Of Oral Sex
Oral sex ranks very low on the list of ways HIV can be transmitted. Its more likely to transmit HIV through anal or vaginal sex. Its also possible to transmit the virus by sharing needles or syringes used for injecting drugs or tattooing.
However, the risk of contracting HIV through oral sex is not zero. The truth is, you can in theory still contract HIV this way. Theres just been from years of research to show that it has happened.
Why is it hard to get data?
Its difficult to know the absolute risk of transmitting HIV during oral sex acts. Thats because many sex partners who engage in oral sex of any type also engage in vaginal or anal sex. It may be difficult to know where the transmission occurred.
Fellatio carries some risk, but its low.
- If youre giving a blowjob. Receptive oral sex with a male partner who has HIV is considered exceptionally low-risk. In fact, a 2002 study found that the risk for HIV transmission through receptive oral sex was statistically zero.
- If youre receiving a blowjob. Insertive oral sex is an unlikely method of transmission, too. Enzymes in the saliva neutralize many viral particles. This may be true even if the saliva contains blood.
There are no documented cases of HIV being transmitted between partners through cunnilingus .
Anilingus , or rimming, has some risk, but it is negligible. Its especially low for receptive partners. In fact, the lifetime risk of transmitting HIV during rimming is
Hiv Transmission Through Other Sexual Activities
HIV is also sometimes transmitted during oral sex . It may occasionally be passed from an HIV-positive person to someone sucking their penis.
Oral sex is much less risky than vaginal or anal sex, but it is not risk free. The risk depends on the viral load of the person with HIV, the dental health of the person performing oral sex and untreated sexually transmitted infections.
“Not every act of unprotected sex with an HIV-positive person results in HIV transmission.”
HIV can be transmitted by sharing sex toys such as dildos or butt plugs. They should be covered with condoms or disinfected between use by different people.
Recommended Reading: Does Cookie Johnson Have Hiv
How Safe Is Oral Sex
Although it is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex, the risk of becoming infected in this way is much lower than the risk of infection via unprotected sexual intercourse with a man or woman.When giving oral sex to a man a person could become infected with HIV if infected semen came into contact with damaged and receding gums, or any cuts or sores they might have in their mouth.
Giving oral sex to a woman is also considered relatively low risk. Transmission could take place if infected sexual fluids from a woman got into the mouth of her partner. The likelihood of infection might be increased if there is menstrual blood involved or if the woman is infected with another sexually transmitted disease.
The likelihood of either a man or a woman becoming infected with HIV as a result of receiving oral sex is extremely low, as saliva does not contain infectious quantities of HIV.
Oral Sex Refers To Contact Of The Mouth To The Ano
It includes:
- Receptive Fellatio
- Insertive Fellatiio
- Anulingus
- Cunnilinugs
While every one of these oral sex acts have case reports suggesting that they are possible, the only one with enough evidence to estimate a risk is Receptive Fellatio.
Therefore, it is accepted by most experts that this is the highest risk of all sex acts.
You May Like: Can You Get Hiv From Dried Blood
Can I Become Infected If My Partner Has Hiv
A partnership where one person is infected with HIV and the other is not can be described as a sero-discordant relationship. There is a risk of HIV transmission if the discordant couple has unprotected sex. However, this risk can be greatly reduced with the use of condoms during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Both partners in a discordant sexual relationship should take on the responsibility of protecting one another from HIV infection.
Just How Likely Is Hiv In This Scenario
If you dont have any slip-ups or slip-ins, in this case theres little risk of HIV transmission from dry humping, especially with your clothes on.
To transmit HIV during frottage, the bodily fluids of an HIV-positive partner would need to touch the mucous membranes or damaged tissue of an HIV-negative partner.
Mucous membranes are found:
- the mouth, including the lips
- nasal passages
Left untreated, most STIs can become symptomatic and develop into a disease aka an STD.
So, yes, developing an STD from dry humping is possible.
Read Also: Hiv Without Ejaculation
Lowering The Risk Of Sexual Transmission
There are several protective measures which dramatically reduce the risk of HIV transmission during sex. You can find out more about these on other pages.
Undetectable viral load: when people with HIV take effective treatment, the amount of HIV in their body fluids falls drastically, to the point where they cannot pass HIV on to their sexual partners. An extremely low level of HIV in body fluids is referred to as an undetectable viral load. The knowledge that this prevents transmission is often referred to ‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable’ .
PrEP: if the HIV-negative person takes antiretroviral medications as pre-exposure prophylaxis , this significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV. The most common form of PrEP is in a tablet, but it can also be provided as a vaginal ring or an injection.
Condoms: if male condoms or female condoms are used, this significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV.
Male circumcision: if you are circumcised, this partially lowers your risk of acquiring HIV during vaginal sex.
Low/no Risk Sexual Practices
There are a number of sexual practices that present no or low risk for HIV transmission that you and a partners can enjoy. These include the following:
NO RISK
Massage and rubbing bodies against each other presents no risk of passing on HIV.
RimmingYou cannot acquire or pass on HIV by rimming . However, hepatitis A and gut infections such as shigella are easily passed on this way.
KissingSaliva does not transmit HIV meaning kissing is completely safe.
WatersportsThe terms watersports and piss-play refer to sexual acts involving urine. HIV is not present in urine so watersports carry no risk of HIV transmission.
LOW RISK
Oral sexOral sex carries a very small risk for HIV transmission. For more detailed information, check out our Oral Sex page.
FingeringPlaying with someones arse or vagina with your fingers is a low risk activity for passing on HIV. However, trimmed fingernails and thorough hand washing is a good idea to help prevent damage to the wall of the anus or vagina and to lessen the risk of passing or acquiring a sexually transmitted infection .
FistingFisting means inserting your fist in someones arse or vagina. Fists can create serious cuts in the lining of the arse or vagina, which can allow HIV to be passed on if the person being fisted is then fucked without a condom. The person doing the fisting could also get HIV if they have any cuts or scratches. Latex gloves are important for protecting both participants. Surgical gloves are best.
Also Check: Oraquick At Walgreens
What Exactly Is The Risk Of Contracting Hiv From Oral Sex
Unfortunately, no one knows for sure.
Most experts would agree that risks are extremely low.
Factors that increase the risk of transmission are:
- Mouth Ulcers
- Presence of blood
- High HIV Viral Load
- Ejaculation
There have been many studies done on the transmission of HIV in oral sex. The vast majority concluded that oral sex in itself is NOT a risk factor for HIV transmission.
There were however a handful of studies that found oral sex to be significantly associated with HIV infection. These studies focus on MSM , CSWs and people from lower socio-economic groups with a higher incidence of poor oral hygiene and mouth sores.
What serves for more scary reading are the case reports. Bear in mind that case reports are not as scientifically or statistically significant or important as clinical studies.
That said, there have been many case reports on possible Oral transmission of HIV. More notable cases include:
Studies conducted in San Francisco and London in 2000 and 2001 amongst MSM indicated that 6% to 8% of HIV +ve cases were believed to be cause by oral sex. Note that this does NOT mean the risk of getting HIV from oral sex is 6% to 8%.
When Is The Risk Greater
These risk factors can increase the chances for transmission of HIV:
- Status: Risk varies based on whether the person with HIV is giving or receiving oral sex. If the person with HIV is receiving oral sex, the person giving it may have a higher risk. Mouths may have more openings in the skin or lesions. Saliva, on the other hand, is not a carrier of the virus.
- Viral load: The risk of contracting HIV is higher if the person with HIV has a high viral load. Higher viral loads increase infectivity.
- Ejaculation: During oral sex, ejaculation may increase risk for sharing the virus, but ejaculation alone isnt the only possible way of contracting HIV.
- Cuts or sores: Openings in the mouth, vagina, anus, or on the penis are possible routes for HIV. These may be cuts or lesions from another infection or condition. For example, HIV-related infections like candidiasis can cause sores that compromise the integrity of the tissue in the mouth. Any break in the skin puts a person at risk for transmitting or contracting the virus.
- Menstruation: HIV-bearing cells do shed from the cervix during menstruation. Coming into contact with menstrual blood with the mouth may increase contraction risk.
- Urethritis: This condition causes inflammation and irritation in the urethra. It may increase the chances of HIV contraction, too. People with HIV are likely to shed the virus when they have this condition.
Also Check: Does Jania Have Herpes
Can Sexually Transmitted Infections Be Treated
Most sexually transmitted infections are easily treated but treatment should be started as soon as possible.
Some infections, such as HIV, never leave the body and cannot be cured. There are drugs available that can reduce the symptoms and help prevent or delay the development of late stage HIV infection.
If left untreated, many sexually transmitted infections can be painful or uncomfortable, can permanently damage your health and fertility, and can be passed on to a partner.
Can I Get An Infection If My Partner Gives Me Oral Sex
Yes, you could be at risk of an infection if a partner has licked, kissed or sucked your penis, vulva, vagina or anus. You will not be exposed to their genital fluids, so it is thought that the risk of getting an infection is lower than if you perform oral sex.
When you receive oral sex, infections can pass to you if a partner has a sexual infection that can give them blisters or sores on the lips or in the mouth, or a sore throat, or if blood from a partners mouth or lips gets into your body.
It is easier for the infection to pass to you if you have sores, cuts, ulcers or inflamed skin around your genitals and anal area.
Infections that can be passed on by receiving oral sex include herpes, gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia, hepatitis B and HIV.
Also Check: Average Hiv Life Expectancy
How Risky Is Oral Sex For Hiv
Dick-sucking isn’t what we’d call high risk. The lining of your mouth is strong, and saliva actually contains antibodies that neutralise and deactivate the virus.
So it’s pretty hard to infect the skin inside your mouth – but you should still check for cuts and ulcers both in the mouth and on the cock, because these can create a path for HIV to get into your bloodstream.
Flossing and vigorous brushing can cause gum bleeding which puts you at a higher risk of being infected when you’re giving a beej, so that’s something to keep in mind when you’re getting ready to go out on a Friday night !
A Guide To Safe Oral Sex
Oral sex and sexually transmitted infections There are different levels of risk, depending on the STI and the type of oral sex.
- Having a STI can increase your chances of getting infected with HIV.
- STIs that cause sores and blisters are easy to get from all types of oral sex getting or giving.
- With gonorrhoea, chlamydia and NGU, infections are possible from sucking and getting sucked.
- Hepatitis A, intestinal parasites and herpes can be easily passed through rimming without a barrier.
- It is easier to pass STIs on when sores, blisters or discharges are present.
Remember: low risk does not mean no risk.
Oral sex and HIVThere have been no studies measuring the risk of getting the Aids virus through oral sex alone. Until better scientific information is available, the actual risk from oral sex is still unknown. Meanwhile, available evidence suggest that:
- HIV can be passed on from oral sex.
- There have been well-documented cases of getting HIV from sucking or giving head.
- Bleeding gums, gum disease and sores in the mouth can make it easier to get infected with HIV through oral sex.
- There have been no well-documented cases of getting HIV from getting sucked.
- There have been no recorded cases of getting HIV from rimming or getting rimmed.
- It is much easier to get HIV from sucking than from getting sucked.
- It is much easier to get HIV from anal or vaginal sex without a condom than from oral sex without a condom.
How easy is it to get HIV and other STIs from oral sex?
Don’t Miss: Can Hiv Be Transmitted Through Eyes
Is There Risk Of Hiv Transmission When Having A Tattoo Body Piercing Or Getting A Hair Cut Or Shave
There is a risk of HIV transmission if instruments contaminated with blood are not sterilized between clients. However, people who carry out body piercing or tattooing should follow procedures called ‘universal precautions’, which are designed to prevent the transmission of blood borne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis B.
When having a hair cut there is no risk of infection unless the skin is cut and infected blood gets into the wound. Traditional ‘cut-throat’ razors used by barbers now have disposable blades, which should only be used once, thus eliminating the risk from blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis and HIV.