T O P I C R E V I E W
Teeny56943
Member # 43034
posted 02-20-2013 03:26 PM
Hello. I've heard that oral sex can transmit HIV. And it can happen through open cuts in the mouth. I'm wondering what constitutes a cut that HIV could be transmitted through? Does it have to be one that's so fresh that it's bleeding? I ask because I have oral sex with a day or two old cut where I had slightly bitten the inside of my mouth but it wasn't bleeding anymore but there was still a little something there. Is this cause for concern? I do not know the person's HIV status.
Teeny56943
Member # 43034
posted 02-20-2013 04:12 PM
Also I had one more thing to ask that I forgot about (sorry I'm not bumping on purpose). Is it a good idea or a good thing to ask someone you're in relations with if they've been tested before? Or is that a bad idea? Thanks.
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 02-20-2013 05:06 PM
Hi Teeny56943, Generally when we're talking about cuts and transmission of any STI, we're talking about open cuts that can allow viruses or infections to enter the bloodstream.. HIV isn't the only STI that can be transmitted through oral sex, and some, such as herpes, are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, not just fluids as with some other STIs, so there can still be a risk even without an open sore or cut. Do you get screened for STIs regularly? It's absolutely acceptable to discuss STIs with a potential sexual partner. If it feels awkward just to ask, it's sound (it's sonud anyway, even if it doesn't feel awkward) to share your own testing history. So, you could say something like "I was recently screened for STIs; have you been?" It's also sound practice, no matter what someone tells you, to use condoms when you don't know someone's status/don't know them well enough to know if they're being truthful with you. here's some more information on STI transmission risks:STI Risk Assessment: The Cliff's Notes We can talk more about this, if you'd like, and we can also talk about getting you some sexual healthcare if you don't already have it.
Teeny56943
Member # 43034
posted 02-20-2013 06:24 PM
I see. So what I described in my mouth, would that be a risk? It's easy to tell what an open cut is on your skin, but harder in your mouth to tell, so would what I described increase my risk for any STI transmission? And yes I have been tested before and plan to make it a yearly event.
Robin Lee
Member # 90293
posted 02-20-2013 06:45 PM
Since you don't know, and I don't know, whether that cut is open or not, I really can't tell you whether your risk is increased or not, only that oral sex without a barrier presents risks of some STIs. To be clear, barriers don't eliminate risk entirely, but they do reduce it significantly. If you engage in sexual activities without safer sex practices, testing more frequently may be a sound choice for you. Would you like to talk about negotiating safer sex with sexual partners? [ 02-20-2013, 06:53 PM: Message edited by: Robin Lee ]