Can HIV Be Transmitted Via Oral Sex?

Posted on Thu, 12 Oct 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 Answered on

Mon, 6 Nov 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I recently performed oral sex on a male with unknown HIV status. I am a female. I swallowed his ejaculation. There were no obvious cuts or sores in my mouth but I guess I can never be too sure. Just wondering what the possibility is of contracting HIV in this situation.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Oral sex carries a low risk for HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Anal and vaginal penetrative sex are considered as riskier in that order and oral sex carries lower risk for HIV as per CDC XXXXXXX USA. Vaginal sex has the risk of 4-8 per 10000 exposures. Then you can imagine the low risk carries even lesser chance!(https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/estimates/riskbehaviors.html).
Moreover there is every chance for your boy friend could be free from HIV. Then your risk is "nil".
Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar