POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: Guyhetro on November 29, 2013, 07:08:26 am
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Hi,
Having read many Q & A's here I think it is about time to say something that became clearer and clearer to me.
Since giving an oral sex isn't a risky act and since there are always chances for a condom to break (even if it is 1%, it is more than zero), the meaning is that giving (let a lone getting) an oral sex is less risky than having anal or vaginal with a condom (surely to do it with a woman).
I know that the chances of contracting HIV from a broken condom event are lower than they are in a fully unprotected intercourse, but still, they are higher than zero.
the following lines are taken from one of your contributers:
"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."
-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH
This also shows me that my assumption is right.
If indeed it is correct, why health authorities don't state it clearly?
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If indeed it is correct, why health authorities don't state it clearly?
I wish I knew. If you find out, let us know.
Ann
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I wish I knew. If you find out, let us know.
You would have had much less work in that case. maybe 50% of the questions are about performing oral sex.
It is interesting that most people understand that being sucked isn't risky, but are still afraid of cunnilingus. same zero risk, but not the same awareness.
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Knowing now all the facts about Oral sex and HIV, I feel sorry I found your site only last week.
12 weeks ago I preformed an Oral sex on a woman and many web sites wrote that the risk is very low, but usually didn't say there is no risk at all.
So I had a private negative Insti test at 6 weeks (the Dr. told me that it is conclusive and I can return to life).
However, I was still stressed and decided to wait for the 12 weeks to end and have a last, conclusive, test (based on the UK guidelines).
I feel better after reading your comments but still feel that I need to go to test in order to finish this story (hopefully).
My brain knows that I shouldn't be worried, but my mind doesn't cooperate. I am stressed and nervous, knowing that Monday is the 84th day.
Can you help me relax a bit till then?
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Guy,
For the first eight years of my diagnosis, I had no problem having oral with my partner (either way) because we knew it wasn't a risk. I wasn't on meds back then either, so I always had a detectable viral load. He always tested negative and does to this day.
The only thing we did is the same thing you need to do - just make sure you're using a condom for anal or vaginal intercourse.
Don't forget to always get checked for all the other, MUCH more easily transmitted STIs. They can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the ONLY way to know for sure is to test.
I fully expect you will get another negative hiv test result, if you decide to continue with this (currently) unnecessary hiv testing. You shouldn't need to test again for another six to twelve months, not because of this current situation, but because regular testing is what responsible sexually active adults should do.
Ann