Here's some discussion lifted from the public forum: Medical Center on My Red Book you might find worth a read. It comes from the anchored long thread discussion of "Risks associated with hobbying."
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Oral Sex
Many people are unclear on the risks associated with oral sex. Questions about oral sex and the risk of contracting an
STD are very common in outreaches and at the SHPRC. Many people engage in unprotected oral sex, and are particularly concerned with the risks associated with not using protection.
What are the risks:
Herpes is probably the biggest
STD risk during oral sex. Both strains of herpes can live in the mouth or the genitals, and particularly during outbreaks (cold sores, herpes lesions) can be passed from one place to the other.
Many people have oral herpes, more than 50% of a random group of people will have antibodies to the virus (indicating some level of infection). Having oral herpes for most people is no big deal, a cold sore during times of stress or illness is usually little more than an annoyance. Genital herpes can be more complicated and uncomfortable, but there are treatments (see Herpes Fact Sheet for more info). Care should be taken so that oral herpes are not passed to anyone’s genitals. In general it is not a good idea to have unprotected oral sex while any lesions are present.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can infect your throat, strep like symptoms, and are curable with antibiotics. These can also infect the eye, and though rare, eye infections can have serious consequences, so be careful with fluids.
HIV can be passed through unprotected oral sex, but it is more likely to be passed during unprotected penetrative sex. The infected semen/precum or vaginal fluid must enter the body through a cut or sore in the mouth or esophagus. The virus is unlikely to be passed from a person’s mouth to another person’s genitals.
HPV can be passed during oral sex, but it is rare. HPV has been found on vocal chords.
Syphilis can be passed similar to HIV. Syphilis is curable.
Hepatitis A is a risk particularly in oral-anal sex, and people engaging in this unprotected might want to look into getting a Hep A vaccine. Hep A is not a chronic condition like Hep B and C, but can make a person quite sick several weeks.
Reducing Risks:
To reduce the risk of infection during unprotected oral sex, limit exposure to sexual fluids and ensure that no cuts or lesions are present in mouth or on genitals.
Use barrier methods — though many people feel that barrier methods detract from oral sex, they are very effective at preventing
STD transmission:
Oral-penile sex: Male condom, no spermicide (kills taste buds), flavored condoms are available.
Oral-vaginal sex: Dental dams (aka
lys) — can buy them, or you can use non-microwaveable saran wrap, or cut up a latex glove.
Oral-anal sex: Dental dams, non-microwaveable saran wrap, cut up latex glove
Spit or swallow? Limiting exposure to semen reduces risk of infection, so ejaculation away from partner’s body is the safest. That said, the mouth is the place most likely to contract something like HIV, so the conventional wisdom is, “swallow or spit, just don’t let it sit.”
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In terms of STDs, and HIV common sense prevails. Hopefully, the subsequent paragraphs help alleviate any misperceptions or misconceptions ...
For STDs, there are visible signs of breakouts, rash, cooties, discoloration of skin, scars, etc... that should ring warning bells. The overall appearance, and hygine of the peson also should be considered.
Terms of HIV there is a lot of literature out there that helps dispense off several myths. For starters, you cannot contract HIV by kissing. The most common way to contract HIV is through personal fluids (blood, semen) getting into your body by accidental contact. Be safe and wear a condom, and select elite providers who see select few screened clients.
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Here's what has to happen for you to be infected with a bloodborne disease (HIV/hepatitis):
1) your partner must be infected
2) their viral load must be high (an infected person's potential to infect others varies with a number of factors)
3) you must come into contact with a significant amount of certain body fluids, like blood or semen; you must absorb the fluid through a mucous membrane or open skin area
4) the contact must be extended; the shorter the contact, the less chance for infection
5) your immune system must be unable to fight off the infection
Though anal sex is the most likely to spread bloodborne disease; oral sex is the least.
There is no documented case of anyone ever contacting HIV through receiving oral sex; you could get it through performing but it is unlikely. If you do perform bbjtc, take a
facial or swallow it and rinse quickly to reduce your risk to almost zero (the acid in your stomach will kill the virus). Holding it in your mouth for an extended time is the worst thing you can do.
