Sick from Sucking
Oral Sex and HIV and AIDS
By M.D. dela Cruz Tan


THE MORE YOU SWALLOW, THE MORE YOU ARE AT RISK
Reasearches are finding that while still a low-risk sexualactivity for the infection of HIV and AIDS (if not STIs), there are accompanying activities that increase the risk, such as swallowing cum, which many actually like doing.

The PHAC insists that “oral sex between MSMs is not as safe as once perceived (since) several epidemiological studies have examined the risk of HIV infection through unprotected receptive oral intercourse (receptive fellatio).”

Among others, there’s a 1996 to 1999 study of MSMs with recent diagnosis of HIV infection, and it was found that 7.8% of subjects (eight of 102) were probably infected through receptive oral sex.  In a 1986 to 1988 study of HIV infection and AIDS among MSMs in the Netherlands, “four of 102 cases of seroconversion (3.9%) likely occurred as a result of receptive oral intercourse.”  And in the UK, 13 cases of HIV transmission through orogenital contact had been reported to the public health authorities up to December 1998.

So, yes, HIV and AIDS CAN be transmitted through sucking.

HERE COMES THE CUM

According to the French POSITIFS Association (positifs.org), “concerning fellatio, the risk of HIV transmission is possible in case of a bleeding lesion, like gingivitis, or even just after a teeth brushing.”  The big catch is that a “lesion may be microscopic, causing a non-visible bleeding, so a rapid rinsing of the mouth is not sufficient to avoid the risk of transmission.  Indeed, if there is a bleeding lesion, the virus may instantaneously penetrate in this opening.”

The CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update notes that “although the risk is many times smaller than anal or vaginal sex, HIV has been transmitted to receptive partners through fellatio, even in cases when insertive partners didn't ejaculate (cum).”

“The risk of contamination from a male sex without ejaculation exists. It is possible because of ‘internal micro-ejaculations.’  It mustn't be forgotten that even during a very short penetration, the risk of HIV transmission exists, because of the presence of seminal liquid just at the extremity of the urethra. Furthermore, an early ejaculation may always occur, as it is difficult to always control the state of excitation,” the PHAC adds.

Fortunately, if it can be considered fortunate at all, “saliva that does not contain blood presents no potential for transmission, as research has shown that an enzyme in saliva inhibits HIV.  In general, the mouth and throat are well defended against HIV: the oral mucosal lining contains few of the cells that are the most susceptible to HIV.  Other research notes that saliva contains several HIV inhibitors, such as peroxidases and thrombospondin-1, and that the hypotonicity of saliva disrupts the transmission of infected leukocytes (white blood cells),” the PHAC states.

Other factors potentially associated with increased risk of HIV transmission through oral sex include oral trauma, sores, inflammation, concomitant STIs, ejaculation in the mouth, and systemic immune suppression.  For receptive fellatio, poor oral health and taking cum in the mouth is a “hazardous combination” that multiplies the risk of HIV transmission.

For safer sex advocates, HIV isn’t the only one that can be transmitted through oral sex.  “Scientists have documented a number of other sexually transmitted (infections, or STIs) that have also been transmitted through oral sex. Herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts (HPV), intestinal parasites (amoebiasis), and Hepatitis A are examples of STIs that can be transmitted during oral sex with an infected partner,” the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update states.

Adds the POSITIFS Association: “We know for instance that a Chlamydia infection may be localized in the pharynx.  Pyogenic germs (like streptococcus or staphylococcus) are known to give mouth infections, but also genital infections.  And some germs can also be transmitted by oral contact, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, responsible for the infectious mononucleosis.”

FOR THE LOVE OF SUCKING

There is no call to stop sucking – certainly not!  But according to the PHAC, there is a need to realize that “while oral sex is a lower risk activity than unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse, repeated exposures may increase the risk.  And although the risk of acquiring HIV through oral sex is low, the higher rates of practicing oral sex indicate that it may contribute to significant numbers of HIV cases among MSMs. Safer sex practices should consider oral sex, particularly unprotected receptive fellatio with ejaculation, as a potential risk behavior for HIV transmission.”

For the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update, “you can lower any already low risk of getting HIV from oral sex by using latex condoms each and every time. For cunnilingus or anilingus, plastic food wrap, a condom cut open, or a dental dam can serve as a physical barrier to prevent transmission of HIV and many other STDs.”

When in doubt, see a doctor.

Hector A. is still coming to terms with his new seropositive status.  No longer in shock, “in my head, I am, however, still coming to terms with getting infected by sucking – an act I never thought would (enable HIV) to affect my life this way,” he says.

He has already “mended my ways,” he says, foregoing (what I used to do before).”  The big plan for him is to “help spread the word out there that, yes, you can get HIV and AIDS from a head job,” he says, although admitting he is, at the moment, “not yet ready to come out in the open.”  “The message is important, though, even if it may seem farfetched (for many for now).  Here’s the thing: I never thought it could happen to, until it happened to me.  If anything, that should serve as a lesson that needs to be really, really learned.”

*NAME CHANGED UPON REQUEST TO PROTECT INTERVIEWEE’S PRIVACY