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Question:
Can you protect yourself from getting HIV by using a condom for intercourse or receiving oral sex aka blow job.
In the case of intercourse is it possible to contract hiv from vaginal fluid that could make its way down the condom to the unprotected base of the penis or stomach etc? I guess the same question applies to oral sex. If someone has hiv and their silivia touches other parts of your body not protected by a condom what are the risks?
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Answer:
by Georgan Gregg: (05/25/2004)
These are excellent questions about HIV transmission. A blowjob or other mouth to genital sex can pass on HIV if no barrier is used. Vaginal fluid that touches unbroken skin on the base of the penis or elsewhere has not been shown to result in transmission. The barrier of a latex condom is important in intercourse and mouth to penis sex because the urethra and penis are mucous membrane, which allows HIV to enter the blood stream and cause infection. Saliva is not considered to be a transmitter of the virus that leads to AIDS, however, blood in the saliva (from dental work, flossing, or the like) certainly can pass on HIV.
The specific answers to your questions are not as important as your knowledge of how transmission occurs. Please understand that the term safe[r] sex is a continuum of absolutely no risk to high risk. Proper, consistent use of latex condoms during vaginal, anal, or mouth to penis contact can eliminate or greatly reduce the possibility of infection with HIV (and other STD).
I applaud your efforts to learn about HIV/STD prevention and suggestion that you contact us again if you have further questions. You can also phone the CDC National AIDS Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-342-AIDS.
Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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