Oral Sex and HIV - Any thoughts on this one?

[JPPPP]

I often read this forum with special concern about Oral Sex and HIV transmission. The most common answer to the question is that it is NOT POSSIBLE to contract HIV from giving or receiving oral sex. In a previous post, Teak has listed a great list of references that attest to this.

Now I am not here to challenge or directly question the responses given by many of the moderators or experts here....like Teak....who are doing great work...but in my mind the question is...WHY do so many notable institutions and websites claim that YOU CAN contract HIV through oral sex? I mean what they say on their websites flys completely in the face of the answers given here. Are they just simply wrong??

I have listed a few examples...but the list is large;

.....HIV transmission can occur through oral sex between men. We know this through a number of documented cases. What we don’t know is the exact risk of HIV transmission through oral sex.
- Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations. (http://www.afao.org.au/about-hiv/hiv-prevention/safe-sex/oral-sex)

.....Even though the risk of transmitting HIV through oral sex is much lower than that of anal or vaginal sex, numerous studies have demonstrated that oral sex can result in the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- Center for Disease control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/oralsex.htm)

.....We know oral sex is much less risky than anal or vaginal sex – but technically, HIV still can enter the body through open cuts and sores, or possibly by infecting the lining of the mouth.
- Stop AIDS Project (http://stopaids.org/resources/how-risky-it/giving-head-risky-or-not)

.....In late 2008, researchers looked at all the available evidence and calculated that the risk of contracting HIV from oral sex was very low, but that it wasn't zero.
- aidsmap.com (http://www.aidsmap.com/Oral-sex/page/1044877/)

.....What is currently known is that there is some risk associated with performing oral sex without protection; (there have been a few documented cases of HIV transmission through oral sex)
- AIDS.org (http://www.aids.org/topics/aids-faqs/hiv-from-oral-sex/)

.....Can HIV be transmitted through oral sex (fellatio and cunnilingus)? YES.
- National Health Service UK (http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/3098.aspx?CategoryID=118)

....."Low risk is not the same as no risk," says Ronald Valdiserri, deputy director of the Center for Disease Control's National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention. "We do know that it is possible to become infected with HIV after oral sex."
- New Scientist (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1156-risk-of-hiv-from-oral-sex-may-be-zero.html)

[BlakeAlex]

I found this conversation very interesting. Joggen, i find your answer very logical. But I'm a bit confused with one thing. Most sites don't want to put stats when they talk about disease. They usually say 'safe' 'low risk'  'risky' etc. however, the sites who go with stats seem to all agree that it would be 1/10 000 chance of catching HIV if you give head and 1/20 000 if you receive. Where do they get those stats if there is only a handful of documented cases? There are probably more than 20 000 blowjob made everyday around the world. These stats would mean that people get infected from oral sex pretty much everyday???????

[anton57]

In relation to my post
My results came back negitive for any STD

your original post is correct
"'The fact that there are only a HANDFUL of cases in the THIRTY YEARS of the HIV epidemic, with all oral sex being EXTREMELY COMMON with MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF EPISODES should tell you that it is a waste of time to worry about it, Whether it has actually happened or not really comes a moot point on a PRACTICAL level. ''

[anton57]

not sure what u mean ignorance
Not accepting that u cant get HIV frm oral or doing it in the first place - if thats the case I hope Ive highlighted to others

I havent blame anyone and accept its a two thing both parties have to take responsibility

have a nice day

[anton57]

thanks joggen for your reply _ I hope u are correct and will let you know
Sorry Teak I didnt think i was posting a negative result - i was only highlighting that you can check for information but it is not conclusive

I was more highlighting a fact that i did have sex with a HIV+ person being only oral and masturbation and will post my results so others who may have a clearer understanding

And guys if you have HIV dont be pricks take responsibility and let your partner know

Iets hope you are both right - if you want to permanently ban thats up to u
ant

[joggen]

You never had a risk, and never needed testing.

[anton57]

hi
I to am concerned about contracting HIV frm oral sex and have been searching the webb for answers but as usual some say yes some say no as outlined above.

I had oral sex with a HIV+ person three times before finding out he was HIV+
It shocked me as he didnt say he was or stopped me frm giving him oral sex in fact took no responsibility - then i dint ask for a condom and thought oral sex was safe

He says is count is negative and he didnt blow in my mouth but am sure I did get some precum - I have a good mouth hygiene and we did not preform anal sex just masturbation and mutual sucking

Went for a test last week so will keep you posted but till then its driving me mad worrying about it.

ant

[joggen]

There are a FEW case reports- a handful of case in the 30 years of the HIV epidemic, despite MILLIONS and MILLIONS of episodes of oral sex- that have NOT been conclusively proven, that some sources give more weight to than others. They have not been VERIFIED SCIENTIFICALLY, and there are a lot of PROBLEMS with  cases where people self-report their exposures (people will LIE, and rather admit oral sex over anal sex, especially men on the DOWN LOW). If you read Teak's references you would understand that.

Again, some sources give more weight to these sources than I think they deserve, because they are not reliable data scientifically, and will say it can happen, but the truth is that there are NO CONFIRMED CASES of anyone catching HIV through oral sex.

The fact that there are only a HANDFUL of cases in the THIRTY YEARS of the HIV epidemic, with all oral sex being EXTREMELY COMMON with MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF EPISODES should tell you that it is a waste of time to worry about it, Whether it has actually happened or not really comes a moot point on a PRACTICAL level.

[JPPPP]

"exceptionally unlikely" is not the 'zero' so often claimed and it still doesnt answer the question why at least 10:1 other sources are so adamant that it can happen.

Im not up at 3am. Im in Australia...its 7:30PM here.

[joggen]

If you accept Dr. Jose's answer that it's exceptionally unlikely, why are you up at 3am worrying about it? Are you as worried about getting hit by a meteorite?

My point is that you are SPLITTING HAIRS. Nobody needs to worry about oral sex.

[JPPPP]

Respectfully Joggen, I feel that you are cutting and pasting responses that I have read from other postings...such as Teaks long list of references....without really answering my well thought out posting.

Again....I am not trying to say that you or the experts here are wrong. But why is it that all these other places seem to think that you can contract HIV from Oral sex.....Are they possibly all wrong? I mean...if you put "Oral Sex and HIV" into Google...the result is at least 10 to 1 against.

Even Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia featured on this sites "Todays Pulse" indicates....."The answer is yes, possibly, but it is exceptionally unlikely."

[joggen]

There is no debate (among experts) about the HIV risks associated with oral sex. The risk is so low that almost nobody who cares for HIV infected patients has ever had a patient believed to have been infected that way. Among experts, it's a semantic issue about using terms like "no risk" and "very low risk". There is no difference between my or Dr. Hook's use of "low risk" and other experts' "no risk".
DR. HANSFIELD

[JPPPP]

I understand this sites stance....and have respect for all who provide answers....but your reply doesn't answer my question.

[joggen]

by Emily_MHModerator,
And to clarify, it is this site's stance, based on studies and our own MedHelp experts (all of whom are world-renowned for their work in this field), that oral sex carries no risk for HIV.  
Emily