Can I get an STI from oral sex?
Yes, STIs
can be transmitted during unprotected oral sex. Oral sex is a much
lower risk activity than intercourse, but there's still a possibility
for transmission. Not using a condom, dental dam, or other barrier
puts both partners at risk. This means that performing and receiving
oral sex puts you at risk. Some STIs are more likely to be transmitted
during oral sex than others, including:
Herpes
is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact with a developing or existing
sore. The virus can be transmitted from genitals to mouth if the
person giving oral sex has or is developing a cold sore. It can
also be transmitted from mouth to genitals if the person receiving
oral sex has or is developing a genital sore.
Gonorrhea
is transmitted when bacteria are present in body fluids. A person
giving oral sex can get a gonorrhea infection of the throat if their
partner has gonorrhea.
For the
person receiving oral sex, there's little chance of contracting
HIV, although it's difficult to pinpoint when HIV has been transmitted
because people rarely engage in only one type of sexual activity.
In the case of fellatio (oral sex on a man), the HIV virus theoretically
could gain entry from the mouth to the opening on the tip of the
penis, or through an open cut or lesion on the penis. If you receive
oral sex, however, you mainly expose yourself to saliva, which has
negligible concentrations of HIV.
For the
cunnilingus (oral sex on a woman) recipient, the chance of HIV transmission
is also low, although the entire vagina is a mucous membrane through
which, theoretically, the virus can be transmitted. A woman receiving
cunnilingus is more at risk of getting herpes or gonorrhea from
her partner than HIV.
The risk
of HIV infection is greater for the partner who performs oral sex.
A person performing oral sex on a woman should avoid it during her
period, for menstrual blood can carry the HIV virus. Research presented
at the 7th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections
in February of 2000 concluded that 8 of 122 cases in an HIV-transmission
study were possibly attributable to performing oral sex on a man.
Of these 8 infected people, some reported having had recent dental
work or having cuts in their mouths, suggesting that HIV transmission
by oral sex is associated with cuts, lesions, or irritation of the
tissues in the mouth.
Other
STIs that can be transmitted through oral sex, although less commonly,
include:
What are the symptoms of an oral STI?
If you
have an oral STI infection, you might experience a sore throat,
tonsillitis, oral lesions, or cold sores. However, many oral STI
cases are asymptomatic. If your partner(s) is diagnosed with an
STI, you should see a medical provider to be tested and possibly
treated.
How are they treated?
Treatments
vary based on the STI diagnosed and the severity of the case. For
example, gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics but HIV cannot.
Refer to the specific infection in the STI
section to learn more about particular treatments.
How can I protect myself?
You and
your partner need to make decisions based on an understanding of
the risks involved and respect for each other's comfort level. Click
here
to read more about sexual decision-making. The safest choice is
to use a latex barrier during every act of oral sex. Using a condom
or a dental dam during oral sex will prevent STIs transmitted by
skin-to-skin contact or by fluid transmission. Here are some suggestions
to incorporate into your sexual activities:
Use
the latex barrier from start to finish of oral sex.
Use
a non-lubricated or a flavored condom on a penis or sex toy. Spermicide
condoms can numb the mouth and don't taste very good.
Don't
use food products like whipped cream or chocolate sauce with the
condom or dental dam because they may be oil-based, and oil-based
lubricants break down latex.
For
oral sex on a woman or for oral-anal stimulation, use a dental
dam, use a plastic food wrap, or cut a condom lengthwise to make
your own dental dam. Be sure to place the latex barrier over the
entire vulva.
You have
increased risk of being exposed to STIs in the following situations:
you have gum disease, cuts or sores, you've had recent dental work
that bruised any tissue in your mouth or you have vigorously brushed
or flossed.
During
the 6 weeks after any type of oral or genital piercing, avoid any
type of oral sexual contact. Wait 6 weeks even if you are in a mutually
monogamous relationship, because until it is completely healed,
the piercing is an open wound and provides easy access for bacteria
and viruses.
Links you can use
For more
general information about the risks associated with oral sex and
STIs, you can go to:
Disclaimer: Health Education is part of Health Services at Brown University. Health Education maintains this site as a resource for Brown students. This site is not intended to replace consultation with your medical providers. No site can replace real conversation. Health Education offers no endorsement of and assumes no liability for the currency, accuracy, or availability of the information on the sites we link to or the care provided by the resources listed. Health Services staff are available to treat and give medical advice to Brown University students only. If you are not a Brown student, but are in need of medical assistance please call your own health care provider or in case of an emergency, dial 911. Please contact us if you have comments, questions or suggestions.
