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Why Is The Mouth Resistant To HIV Infection Which Vagina And The Anus Are Not. Both Have Epithelial Tissues
Posted on
Wed, 28 Oct 2020
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 28 Oct 2020
Answered on
Fri, 23 May 2025
Last reviewed on
Question : doctor, I have a few doubts that id like to clarify.
1. what is the risk of transmission of HIV during oral sex, for both giver and receiver.
2. during fellatio if the women has sores in her mouth and if the man doesn't have any sort of sores on his penis, is he at risk
3. what are the symptoms of ARS, how long do they last.
4. why is the mouth resistant to HIV infection which vagina and the anus are not. both have epithelial tissues.
kindly clarify these doubts. thank you
1. what is the risk of transmission of HIV during oral sex, for both giver and receiver.
2. during fellatio if the women has sores in her mouth and if the man doesn't have any sort of sores on his penis, is he at risk
3. what are the symptoms of ARS, how long do they last.
4. why is the mouth resistant to HIV infection which vagina and the anus are not. both have epithelial tissues.
kindly clarify these doubts. thank you
Brief Answer:
The risk of transmission of HIV through oral sex is very less.
Detailed Answer:
Dear,
The risk of transmission of HIV through oral sex for both giver and receiver is very less even when there are sores in woman's mouth with lesions on penis. Further, human saliva contains an enzyme which neutralizes the growth of virus particles so the chances of transmission are very less.
Acute retroviral syndrome is the first stage of infection with HIV and the symptoms are similar to flu like illness like headache, nausea, diarrhea, bodyache etc. The symptoms will last for 2-4 weeks. Be calm, don't take stress or tension and revert back to me any time for any further doubts.
Thank You
The risk of transmission of HIV through oral sex is very less.
Detailed Answer:
Dear,
The risk of transmission of HIV through oral sex for both giver and receiver is very less even when there are sores in woman's mouth with lesions on penis. Further, human saliva contains an enzyme which neutralizes the growth of virus particles so the chances of transmission are very less.
Acute retroviral syndrome is the first stage of infection with HIV and the symptoms are similar to flu like illness like headache, nausea, diarrhea, bodyache etc. The symptoms will last for 2-4 weeks. Be calm, don't take stress or tension and revert back to me any time for any further doubts.
Thank You
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
thank you doctor for your reply, no I am not stressed at all. I was just inquiring. and also I would like to know would doctors warrant an HIV test for those who had unprotected oral sex as exposure. my friend, who is an immunologist told me for oral sex it negligible risk, and doctors don't generally warrant a test unless the patients are way too anxious and in which case they would take a test for peace of mind. is this true?. if there are enzymes in the saliva which neutralizes the viral particle then why do people get herpes from oral sex?
Brief Answer:
There is no need for test in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Dear,
It is good to hear that you are not stressed and there is no need for test in your exposure as suggested by your friend because the risk is very unlikely. The test is only needed for the peace of your mind if you are too anxious or worried. Further, sexually transmitted infections like herpes, syphilis etc can be transmitted through saliva but it is unlikely for HIV virus to be transmitted through it.
Thank You
There is no need for test in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Dear,
It is good to hear that you are not stressed and there is no need for test in your exposure as suggested by your friend because the risk is very unlikely. The test is only needed for the peace of your mind if you are too anxious or worried. Further, sexually transmitted infections like herpes, syphilis etc can be transmitted through saliva but it is unlikely for HIV virus to be transmitted through it.
Thank You
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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