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Simple question
Actually, two simple questions:
1) What STDs are obtainable by receiving oral sex from an infected individual and
2) What is the approximate transmission risk of each?
Thank you for your help!
1) What STDs are obtainable by receiving oral sex from an infected individual and
2) What is the approximate transmission risk of each?
Thank you for your help!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
See above.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for a straightforward, brief question.
A similar question came up just 4 days ago; please read the discussion:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Need-Education-Regarding-Oral-Sex-HIV-STD-Infection-Chances/show/1721189
In general, fellatio (penile-oral penetration) is quite safe, especially for the insertive (penile) partner -- not completely free of STD risk, but much lower chance of infection than for vaginal or anal sex, with low risk for some STDs and zero for other. There are no good numerical data, but I would guess that those listed below as "low risk" probably have well under 1 chance in 1,000 of transmission even if the partner has an oral infection. And since most potential partners in fact do not have active oral STD infections, the true risks are even lower.
The infections with low risk are gonorrhea, herpes due to HSV-1, and nongonoccal urethritis (probably often due to harmless oral bacteria, not true STD germs). Still lower risks exist for syphilis. There is exceedingly low risk (probably zero or close to it) for chlamydia, HIV, and trichomonas. There are no data on HPV, but certainly it's low risk.
For these reasons, we don't recommend STD/HIV testing after receiving oral sex, unless there are symptoms that suggest infection occurred.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
A similar question came up just 4 days ago; please read the discussion:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Need-Education-Regarding-Oral-Sex-HIV-STD-Infection-Chances/show/1721189
In general, fellatio (penile-oral penetration) is quite safe, especially for the insertive (penile) partner -- not completely free of STD risk, but much lower chance of infection than for vaginal or anal sex, with low risk for some STDs and zero for other. There are no good numerical data, but I would guess that those listed below as "low risk" probably have well under 1 chance in 1,000 of transmission even if the partner has an oral infection. And since most potential partners in fact do not have active oral STD infections, the true risks are even lower.
The infections with low risk are gonorrhea, herpes due to HSV-1, and nongonoccal urethritis (probably often due to harmless oral bacteria, not true STD germs). Still lower risks exist for syphilis. There is exceedingly low risk (probably zero or close to it) for chlamydia, HIV, and trichomonas. There are no data on HPV, but certainly it's low risk.
For these reasons, we don't recommend STD/HIV testing after receiving oral sex, unless there are symptoms that suggest infection occurred.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
To clarify: this is from the standpoint of a male receiving oral sex, not a female.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
