I hear conflicting reports about AIDS and oral sex. Is it true or not that AIDS is transmitted this way?
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THE FOLLOWING COMES FROM THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL WEBSITE:
For additional information:
HIV Transmission | Questions and Answers | CDC HIV/AIDS

Can I get HIV from oral sex

Yes, it is possible for either partner to become infected with HIV through performing or receiving oral sex, though it is a less common mode of transmission than other sexual behaviors (anal and vaginal sex). There have been a few cases of HIV transmission from performing oral sex on a person infected with HIV. While no one knows exactly what the degree of risk is, evidence suggests that the risk is less than that of unprotected anal or vaginal sex.

If the person performing oral sex has HIV, blood from their mouth may enter the body of the person receiving oral sex through

* the lining of the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis);
* the lining of the vagina or cervix;
* the lining of the anus; or
* directly into the body through small cuts or open sores.

If the person receiving oral sex has HIV, their blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), or vaginal fluid may contain the virus. Cells lining the mouth of the person performing oral sex may allow HIV to enter their body.

The risk of HIV transmission increases

* if the person performing oral sex has cuts or sores around or in their mouth or throat;
* if the person receiving oral sex ejaculates in the mouth of the person performing oral sex; or
* if the person receiving oral sex has another sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Not having (abstaining from) sex is the most effective way to avoid HIV.

If you choose to perform oral sex, and your partner is male,

* use a latex condom on the penis; or
* if you or your partner is allergic to latex, plastic (polyurethane) condoms can be used.

Studies have shown that latex condoms are very effective, though not perfect, in preventing HIV transmission when used correctly and consistently. If either partner is allergic to latex, plastic (polyurethane) condoms for either the male or female can be used. For more information about latex condoms, see "Male Latex Condoms and Sexually Transmitted Diseases."

If you choose to have oral sex, and your partner is female,

* use a latex barrier (such as a natural rubber latex sheet, a dental dam, or a cut-open condom that makes a square) between your mouth and the vagina. A latex barrier such as a dental dam reduces the risk of blood or vaginal fluids entering your mouth. Plastic food wrap also can be used as a barrier.

If you choose to perform oral sex with either a male or female partner and this sex includes oral contact with your partners anus (analingus or rimming),

* use a latex barrier (such as a natural rubber latex sheet, a dental dam, or a cut-open condom that makes a square) between your mouth and the anus. Plastic food wrap also can be used as a barrier.

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Now that I have given you the cold statistical response, I want to add my personal comments.

You can't really go through life worrying about everything that can kill you, nor can you totally ignore warning signs. Use of condoms in oral sex is a real turn off for me; both the taste and the lack of skin contact. While I will engage in oral sex without a condom, I do look for warning signs. Being a manager in an adult bookstore, I quickly became acquainted with the sexual habits and preferences of my customers. I may accept oral sex from someone I suspect of random anal sex, but I will not return the favor. I know who the "booth pigs" are, and would not consider sexual activity with them.

Of course, if there are outward signs of sores or illness, I will decline. I insist on proper dental hygiene for myself to prevent small openings for disease. I refrain from oral sex for several days after a dental cleaning in case of any abrasions or cuts on my gums. In anal sex, total protection is mandatory. I might like rimming some sweet ass, but not unless I REALLY know a person and trust them. Those are few and far between.

Now, I'm older. I might have a different aspect on the dangers if I was young with my whole life ahead of me. We must each stay up on the latest information and weigh it against our personal choices in life. Most important, we must be honest with ourselves and our fellow man. If you are HIV+, tell your sexual partner so proper precautions can be taken. Will some totally turn you down after finding out, yes. But you would expect the same honesty.

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Thanks for all the info its a really big help. That was a question I've had for a long time.
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The Grumpybear did a great job here. The present stand of scientific knowledge on this matter recommends that we should use condom when enjoying oral sex. "Nuf said."

I fully understand the guys, especially the cocksuckers who dislike the taste of rubber in their mouths, the lack of skin contact, etc. I can also feel for a dude who is getting his dick sucked and who feels deprived of his pleasure if he has to wear a condom. None of this is really rocket science.

Yet, much of it is really a matter of personal habit. I spent much of my youth during the initial stages of the HIV/AIDS scare. No meds and no hope.

What most likely saved my life was the fact that a granduncle, who was a very big name in medicine in his time and day, and an absolutely great guy to talk to, told me to use the condoms since there was an upsurge of a nasty kind of hepatitis. I had trusted him on that one and started using condoms even before it became widely known that condoms offered efficient protection against AIDS. Basically, I had formed a good, life-saving habit, and rode through the Armageddon unschated.

His reasons however, are still pretty much valid. Whereas the likelihood of seroconversion due to unprotected oral sex MAY remain lower than the likelihood of the seroconversion with unprotected anal or vaginal sex, a GREAT MANY other BUGS can be caught if and when enjoying the unprotected oral sex. This is an argument good enough for me to compel me to stick with my rubbers.

We are after all, the creatures of habit. Once you get used to having oral sex with rubber, you simply get used to it. This ain't the end of the world, and it may save you a lot of trouble and expense down the road. To a degree, everything in life is kind of compromise. You give some and you take some. Oral sex ain't any different either.

KD

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I could not disagree more. If HIV were transmitted orally, there would be vastly larger numbers of cases. In fact, HIV is very, very hard to transmit. Stop scaring yourselves to death guys! If you want a risk-free life, stick to a small room, order in everything you need, and avoid human contact at all cost. Sex is messy. Sex is risky (it was well before AIDS). Sex is hot fun! Enjoy!!

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-- Statistically I believe that the odds of contracting AIDS. through oral sex run at approx. 0.04.-0.07.%, (apologies for not having a ref. to hand in support of those figs.),.
- Here in BKK. I have a young & farang, (non-Thai.), friend who claims that he has contracted HIV. orally - well, maybe? Now he should report every three months to an hospital for blood-tests for Kidney and for Liver functioning; PLUS he has to take a couple of tablets daily at an approx. cost of 1,000.Bh. per mensem, (approx. USD.33.oo.),. He is a young man still.
-- Worth running a risk? 'Up to you.' as is said in Thailand.

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