A: While oral sex is relatively safe with regard to HIV, what's important is that other STDs like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes are definitely transmitted through oral sex. However, many of these infections are easily diagnosed with simple tests and can be treated with available medications. Syphilis, in particular, is something to be aware of and get tested for: it's debilitating down the road, and it's affecting the Chicago area pretty prominently. If your partner has a single, small, painless sore (something that looks like a cold sore), avoid having oral sex with him.
So... Enjoy oral sex and get regular check-ups. A good check-up includes throat testing for gonorrhea, rectal testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia, urine testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia and blood tests for herpes, syphilis and HIV.
[thanks to Howard Brown Health Center for this info]
...get regular check-ups.
ReplyDeleteThinking about the matter even more carefully, do you think regular testing doesn't work?... because when the results are positive it's already too late for sex partners. Does recommending regular testing misguide responsible people?... who would get tested beforehand and get treatment for infections that expose another person to disease.
Just to add a little to the information from Howard Brown... the chances of being infected with an STD through oral sex increase if there are existing oral infections or problems such as lesions, inflamed gums (gingivitis), etc.
ReplyDeleteSo part of reducing the risk for STD infection through oral sex includes having good oral hygiene (regular brushing and flossing) and getting regular dental checkups to address any problems and maintain dental health.
Does it misguide people attempting to be responsible in discussing the risk of an individual sexual practice as if it were isolated or modular?... when in reality people do a number of sexual practices when having sex and don't know before or during sex what could happen next as passion takes over, the heart beats faster, the brain numbs.
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