How safe is oral sex?

It is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex.  However, the risk of becoming infected in this way is lower than for unprotected sexual intercourse with a man or a woman.

When giving oral sex to a man, a person could become infected with HIV if infected semen gets into any cuts, sores or receding gums they might have in their mouth.

Giving oral sex to a woman is considered relatively low risk.  Transmission could take place if infected fluids from a woman get into the mouth of her partner.  The likelihood of infection occuring might be increased if there is menstrual blood involved of if the woman is infected with another STI, which causes breaks in the skin, therefore increasing exposure to blood.

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