Oral and STDs

[fenghuang]

IIRC it's not possible to transmit HIV through oral sex as the virus doesn't live long enough in that environment.
And there's something in my head that says cold sores and genital herpese are related, but not quite the same.

So I'm wondering what STDs you can catch from oral sex?

 

[SweetErika]

It's possible to get/give HIV via oral sex, but it's not likely. There have been at least a few suspected cases over the years, IIRC, but I'm not sure how many, or if any of them were actually confirmed (it's tough to pinpoint because most sexual encounters include more than oral!). The main concern is, say, if you have an open wound, cut or sore near or in your mouth, the virus can get into your bloodstream through it.

HIV and other STD's can also enter via the eyes, nose and facial (or any skin) cuts/sores/etc., so facials and the like are technically risky as well.

Cold sores are usually caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1, whereas genital herpes is typically HSV 2. However, HSV1 can infect (for lack of a better term) the genitals (think someone with a cold sore or otherwise infectious giving you oral), and vice versa. They are, essentially, the same virus, though, at least in the sense that neither one is better/worse than the other, they're both highly contagious and can be transmitted WITHOUT ANY symptoms, whatsoever. HSV is often not on the standard STD test panel, and, IIRC, false negatives are a real possibility, so you should ask to be tested for HSV I & II specifically and recognize the potential for inaccurate test results.

Herpes is a common and complex virus with all sorts of interesting facts, so I'd suggest doing your own research and learning more, just as a matter of course of being a responsible, sexually active person. Click me for some good info.

Herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia (and I think syphilis and HPV/warts on the vocal cords) are the main diseases and infections that can be transmitted through oral-genital sex, IIRC. They have varying degrees of transmission and different consequences, but the risk is there. The risk of some of them can be reduced by not allowing your partner to come in your mouth, and further, not swallowing his cum. Condoms and dental dams (or condoms cut to make dental dams) provide pretty good protection, although as with HPV (genital warts), transmission can occur with any skin-infectious area contact (like if your partner has a sore or wart or infectious area on an spot that's not covered by the condom, and that touches you). So, along with regular testing, the "protection hierarchy" for oral from most-least protection looks something like:
1) No sex
2) Sex with a condom or dental dam
3) Not allowing your partner to cum in your mouth or on your face (and vice versa)
4) Spitting (not really protection, but if you spit and immediately use Listerine for a minute or something, it can offer some protection)
5) Unprotected sex with swallowing, getting fluids in your eyes, etc.

I think that's a pretty good overview. Don't take it as the gospel and fail to get the facts for yourself; I'm tired and not firing on all cylinders tonight. There are TONS of sites in plain language, and google is pretty good about finding answers to specific questions, though. I think it's definitely a topic worth learning a lot about...there are way too many people put themselves at risk needlessly because they figure oral is very safe and protection is an unnecessary hassle.

 

[infinity706]

Well, the only thing I think is contestable in that long post is the swallowing thing. Obviously, pretty much anything will be killed by stomach acid. Unless you have cuts/sores in your throat or on the way to the stomach, it's unlikely that swallowing is any more risky than spitting. In practice, swallowing could probably be moved up to 4 along with spitting. Also, getting fluids up your nose could be an issue, too. Other than that, an excellent post.

 

[rache141]

..

I don't think swallowing should be along the same lines as unprotected sex, its very unlikely to get anything from it, just dnt do it when u have a cold sore! People always say u should use a condom when u give oral, kinda horrible don't you think??
But I agree, dnt swallow if u have a cut or ulser!
x

 

[where]

.....

 

[fenghuang]

But I agree, dnt swallow if u have a cut or ulser!
x

And presumably on that basis it's fair to say don't let someone go down on you if they've got a cut or ulser.
And if it's not someone who's health you know explicitly, don't do it.
(Kind of riles out an NSA blow job.)

 

[SweetErika]

There is no great difference between spitting and swallowing, but it's about minimizing contact/exposure. If there was a breach in the tissues of the throat instead of the mouth, swallowing would be riskier than not letting the infected fluid come into contact with that breach.

STD's CAN/DO infect the tissues of the throat. Minimizing exposure to that as much as possible reduces the risk.

It's not about STD's getting through the body via the digestive system, it's about them infecting on the way to the stomach.

 

[SemiColon]

I have heard that gargling with listerine etc. before oral sex actually increases your risk of getting STDs as it can cause microscopic abrasions.

 

[SweetErika]

I have heard that gargling with listerine etc. before oral sex actually increases your risk of getting STDs as it can cause microscopic abrasions.

I don't know about that, but it's definitely true for brushing and flossing and having any kind of dental work done.

 

[infinity706]

I guess a good question would be if dental dams come in flavors like condoms...

 

[SweetErika]

I guess a good question would be if dental dams come in flavors like condoms...

A quick google search reveals that there are indeed flavored dental dams available.

I've never met a flavored condom or lube I've liked, but I've heard there are some lubes that taste okay, so I'd probably be more likely to find one and use that with a regular dental dam (or condom) than go for the flavored latex (which, usually ends up tasting just like flavored latex!).

 

[infinity706]

Flavored lube is great. Swiss Navy has some really good ones, although it's not cheap. It was recommended to me by an older woman at a porn shop.

 

[Tuomas]

Well, the only thing I think is contestable in that long post is the swallowing thing. Obviously, pretty much anything will be killed by stomach acid. Unless you have cuts/sores in your throat or on the way to the stomach, it's unlikely that swallowing is any more risky than spitting. In practice, swallowing could probably be moved up to 4 along with spitting. Also, getting fluids up your nose could be an issue, too. Other than that, an excellent post.

This is a myth. All kinds of things infect you through the stomach, including parasites, viruses and bacteria (stomach flu? E. coli? Threadworm?). The thing is, the stomach is not always necessarily filled with bile (the substance containing the acid), and the pancreas will not secrete bile for small amounts of "food" (which is why you have to take penicillin-related antibiotics on an empty stomach), or secrete small amounts that won't kill all the germs.

Considering, also, that semen is mostly physiological serum secreted from the man's circulatory system, it will have an abundance of vectors for any disease he might have.

 

[bettigirl]

It's possible to get/give HIV via oral sex, but it's not likely. There have been at least a few suspected cases over the years, IIRC, but I'm not sure how many, or if any of them were actually confirmed (it's tough to pinpoint because most sexual encounters include more than oral!). The main concern is, say, if you have an open wound, cut or sore near or in your mouth, the virus can get into your bloodstream through it.

HIV and other STD's can also enter via the eyes, nose and facial (or any skin) cuts/sores/etc., so facials and the like are technically risky as well.

Cold sores are usually caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1, whereas genital herpes is typically HSV 2. However, HSV1 can infect (for lack of a better term) the genitals (think someone with a cold sore or otherwise infectious giving you oral), and vice versa. They are, essentially, the same virus, though, at least in the sense that neither one is better/worse than the other, they're both highly contagious and can be transmitted WITHOUT ANY symptoms, whatsoever. HSV is often not on the standard STD test panel, and, IIRC, false negatives are a real possibility, so you should ask to be tested for HSV I & II specifically and recognize the potential for inaccurate test results.

Herpes is a common and complex virus with all sorts of interesting facts, so I'd suggest doing your own research and learning more, just as a matter of course of being a responsible, sexually active person. Click me for some good info.

Herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia (and I think syphilis and HPV/warts on the vocal cords) are the main diseases and infections that can be transmitted through oral-genital sex, IIRC. They have varying degrees of transmission and different consequences, but the risk is there. The risk of some of them can be reduced by not allowing your partner to come in your mouth, and further, not swallowing his cum. Condoms and dental dams (or condoms cut to make dental dams) provide pretty good protection, although as with HPV (genital warts), transmission can occur with any skin-infectious area contact (like if your partner has a sore or wart or infectious area on an spot that's not covered by the condom, and that touches you). So, along with regular testing, the "protection hierarchy" for oral from most-least protection looks something like:
1) No sex
2) Sex with a condom or dental dam
3) Not allowing your partner to cum in your mouth or on your face (and vice versa)
4) Spitting (not really protection, but if you spit and immediately use Listerine for a minute or something, it can offer some protection)
5) Unprotected sex with swallowing, getting fluids in your eyes, etc.

I think that's a pretty good overview. Don't take it as the gospel and fail to get the facts for yourself; I'm tired and not firing on all cylinders tonight. There are TONS of sites in plain language, and google is pretty good about finding answers to specific questions, though. I think it's definitely a topic worth learning a lot about...there are way too many people put themselves at risk needlessly because they figure oral is very safe and protection is an unnecessary hassle.

What she said.....and check out this link from the CDC regarding HIV and Oral.
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/oralsexqa.htm

 

[TheHeinz57]

Well there's also the old adage to consider...

"Don't be a fool, wrap your tool!"

 

[fenghuang]

I've never met a flavored condom or lube I've liked

Has anyone ever tried to produce a flavoured oral dam or lube that tasted like pussy? If not it's always gonna be a disappointment

 

[infinity706]

All the pussies I've tasted have been different, though. They can't make 3 billion different cunt flavored dental dams specific to every woman in the world.