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Author Topic: Cunnlingus/oral sex risk confused.....  (Read 9674 times)

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Offline Williams007

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Cunnlingus/oral sex risk confused.....
« on: October 10, 2013, 03:27:06 pm »
So about 3 weeks ago I performed unprotected cunnilingus on a girl I met that day. I have been reading a lot on here and medhelp. On both sites the senior members keep saying unprotected cunnilingus is not a hiv risk. One post even said there are lessons on here to explain why. So I went on to the prevention section of this site, link given below:

http://www.poz.com/articles/oral_vaginal_sex_hiv_348_2127.shtml

This link states there is a hiv risk from cunnilingus all be it a small risk. It states there is one case of infection from woman to the man performing the oral to genital sex.

So who is right? The posters who keep telling people that there is no risk or the link given above?

Offline Joe K

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Re: Cunnlingus/oral sex risk confused.....
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2013, 03:40:42 pm »
The link you reference states that there is one documented case of HIV infection from cunnilingus.  If you  consider the number of acts of cunnilingus that are performed world-wide, the fact that only one case has been successfully documented, would indicate that infection through cunnilingus is exceedingly rare.

I cannot comment on what others may claim, only where the science directs us.

Joe

Offline Williams007

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Re: Cunnlingus/oral sex risk confused.....
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2013, 03:52:07 pm »
That's my point..... Rare as it might be it is still possible which doesn't equal no risk. Right?

Also I have searched online regarding the hiv fluids are in the cervix of a female, haven't found anything to support that. Anyone know any links where I could read up on about that?

Offline Jeff G

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Re: Cunnlingus/oral sex risk confused.....
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2013, 03:53:43 pm »
I agree with Joe ... If vaginal oral sex was risky there would be a lesbian HIV pandemic as well , and there is not . Many times other risk factors come to light when someone claims oral sex led to an HIV infection .

There have been no fewer than three separate serodiscordant couples studies (where one person is HIV positive, the other negative.) These couples were tracked for three. five and ten years. The couples used condoms for penetrative vaginal and anal sex, but NO BARRIER at all for oral sex. Any kind of oral sex.

These studies yielded NO infections

These are the risk factors for HIV ....

Sharing IV drug needles immediately after use.
Unprotected anal and vaginal sex.
Mother to child during or shortly after birth
Very specific healthcare situations.

Use condoms correctly and consistently or vaginal and anal sex and you will avoid HIV . Its that simple .
HIV 101 - Basics
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HIV Transmission and Risks
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You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Cunnlingus/oral sex risk confused.....
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2013, 05:20:02 pm »
There has not been much research on female to female transmission because, despite wht even POZ reports, no definitive documented case of transmission through sunnilingus has been determined. The single case pointed to by Poz and other entities was later shown to have serious data collecting errors (the positive partner was seeing her ex husband without her female partner's knowledge, and having unprotected penile sex in addition to having a history of IV drug use).

With no definitive cases, it has been a low scientific priority, of course - as females are far more at risk from males insofar as getting HIV.

Here are some studies for you:



Epithelial beta-defensins block HIV-1 infection

Last Updated: 2003-11-04 16:31:12 -0400 (Reuters Health)

By Megan Rauscher

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers report that HIV-1 induces human beta-defensin (hBD) expression in normal human oral epithelial cells and blocks HIV-1 infectivity.

This may explain why transmission of HIV through oral secretions is uncommon and lead to ways to prevent HIV infection at more susceptible mucosal sites such as the colorectal and vaginal lining, said Dr. Aaron Weinberg from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Weinberg led a Cleveland, Ohio-based team who reports their discovery in a "Fast Track" paper in the November 7th issue of the journal AIDS.

Natural antimicrobial hBDs are ubiquitous to mucosal linings, including the oral cavity, tracheal lining, the skin, the urogenital lining, and the gastrointestinal lining.

At mucosal sites other than the mouth, hBDs are induced only when the mucosa is injured. "In the mouth, they are induced above baseline levels always and we've discovered that there are certain organisms unique to our oral cavity that have the ability to induce these beta defensins," Dr. Weinberg told Reuters Health.

In their experiments, HIV-1 induced expression of hBD-2 and hBD-3 mRNA 4- to 78-fold, respectively, above baseline in normal oral epithelial cells. "These beta defensins, once induced, have antiretroviral activity," Dr. Weinberg said. "HIV-1 failed to infect these cells, even after 5 days of exposure," he and colleagues note in their report.

hBD-2 and hBD-3 appear to block HIV-1 replication by interacting directly with infectious virions and down-modulating the CXCR4 coreceptor.

"We have a hunch that the oral cavity is uniquely inherently resistant to HIV infectivity," Dr. Weinberg told Reuters Health. "And what we can learn biologically from the oral cavity may help us understand why other sites such as the colorectal and vaginal lining are so susceptible to HIV infection, comparatively speaking."

Ideally, he said, "if we can isolate the organisms from the oral cavity that induce beta-defensins, generate them recombinantly, and apply it to the susceptible sites, we can artificially and locally induce these beta-defensins under normal conditions to prevent prophylactically HIV infectivity." M o r e l i n k s a n d a b s t r a c t s :


STUDY SHOWS COMPONENT OF SALIVA IS VERY EFFECTIVE IN BLOCKING AIDS VIRUS

Potential for Use In Preventing Sexual Transmission of HIV

New York, NY (January 7, 1998) -- Research conducted at The New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical College has found that a natural component of human saliva has a very powerful effect in blocking the growth of laboratory strains of HIV as well as AIDS viruses taken directly from patients. This finding could lead to the development of natural inhibitors to HIV transmission. In a study published in the January 5 issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine, Dr. Jeffrey Laurence, Director of the Laboratory for AIDS Virus Research; Dr. Ralph Nachman, Chairman of the Department of Medicine; Dr. Roy L. Silverstein, Chief of the Division of Hematology-Oncology; and a team of biomedical scientists describe how they have identified a natural sugar-protein, concentrated in saliva, known as TSP (thrombospondin), and discovered its remarkable ability to block the growth of the AIDS virus. Recognizing that over the past years several labs have found a variety of substances in human saliva that partially inhibit the growth of HIV, Dr. Laurence and his research team delved further into this phenomenon.

Dr. Laurence said, "We began by exploring why there is so little HIV virus in saliva, while large amounts of the virus are found in other body fluids; and why human saliva is so effective at blocking the growth of the AIDS virus in the test tube. This led us to the discovery of TSP." According to Dr. Laurence, "We made the observation that thrombospondin type 1 (TSP-1) can block HIV-1 infection of primary human cells and transform human cell lines of T lymphocyte and monocyte lineages. TSP is effective against both laboratory-adapted strains of HIV-1 and HIV-1 patient isolates. It is active at physiologic concentrations. Saliva experiments indicate that TSP-1 is a major component of the natural HIV inhibitory capacity of saliva." TSP is of particular interest as a natural inhibitor, as others have shown that it may promote wound healing, and suppression of some bacterial infections. Higher levels of TSP in the saliva of some male, as opposed to female, animals may relate to the more frequent wounding of male animals. Wound licking, with application of saliva molecules that could inhibit infection, would then be very beneficial. Speaking of the application of this research, Dr. Nachman said, "This is an exciting finding that is another step forward in our research efforts aimed at preventing AIDS transmission. TSP derivatives could potentially be used vaginally, rectally and orally in condoms, foams, suppositories, mouthwashes and toothpastes to inhibit transmission of the AIDS virus."

While TSP is a very large molecule that would be unwieldy to use directly in patients, the Cornell research team also investigated the mechanism of action of TSP. They found that peptides -- small pieces of the larger TSP -- could block binding of the AIDS virus to its receptor on immune cells. This offers the potential for direct use of these smaller molecules to prevent sexual transmission of HIV. Funding for this work was provided by the Dental, Heart/Lung/Blood, and Allergy/Immunology Institutes of the NIH.

Salivary HIV-1 Inhibitors
P.I.: Murray R. Robinovitch, Professor and Chairman, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Washington

The specific aims of this study are to identify, isolate and characterize those non-immunoglobulin components of saliva that inhibit HIV-l infectivity and to elucidate their mechanisms of action. We found that adapted the multinuclear activation of a galactosidase indicator assay (MAGI) and the secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor assay (SLPI) for use in the studies. Of seven chromatographically separated components of saliva, those containing non-glycosylated basic proine-rich proteins inhibited HIV-l from 20 to 80% at protein concentrations within physiologic range. The fractions were inhibitory using both assays. The site of action appears to be prior to or at the site of viral entry into the cell rather than later in the infection process.

The modes of transmission of human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are still not completely understood even though bodily fluids such as blood and semen of infected subjects are regarded as extremely hazardous. Other human secretions such as milk and saliva have been reported to contain inhibitors of HIV-1 infectivity and it is now known that saliva may contain non-immunoglobulin inhibitors as well as secretory immunoglobulins if the subject is infected with HIV. The degree to which a non-infected person_s saliva may be protective against HIV-1 infection via the oral route, and the degree to which the non-immunoglobulin factors and antibodies in an infected subject_s saliva may lessen the biohazard of this secretion is not known. Such information is vital from a public health point of view, and is also extremely important to the practice of dentistry. With such information, better advice can be offered to the public on how to contain AIDS, and to the profession of dentistry on how to design office practices and procedures.


Saliva neutralizes HIV-1 infection by displacing envelope gp120 from the virion.

Int Conf AIDS 1998 Jun 28-Jul 3; 12:267 (abstract no. 21143)

Malamud D, Nagashunmugan T, Friedman HM, Davis CA, Abrams WR
Dept. Biochemistry Univ. Penn Dental Med., Phila 19104-6003, USA.

BACKGROUND: Incubation of HIV-1 with human saliva decreases infectivity. This inhibition is specific for HIV-1, with no effect on adenovirus, HIV-2 or SIV and appears to work at the level of the virus rather than the host cell. We have now identified an active protein fraction and provide evidence that the mechanism of action involves stripping of gp120 from the virus.

METHODS: HIV-1 (laboratory strains and primary isolates) was grown in PBMCs and purified by centrifugation and chromatography on Sephacryl 1000. Submandibular saliva from seronegative donors, or fractions obtained after anion exchange chromatography, were incubated with HIV-1, and then tested for infectivity with HeLa CD4 cells or PBMCs as compared to virus incubated with media only. To test for effects of salivary proteins on gp120-CD4 binding, gp120 binding to immobilized CD4 (NEN-drugquest) was utilized. To detect gp120 stripping, virus treated with media or salivary proteins was analyzed after sucrose gradient centrifugation (10-60% sucrose) or centrifugation at 145,000 x g on a 5% sucrose cushion. Supernatant and pellet were analyzed by ELISA and Western blotting using antibodies to p24 and gp120.

RESULTS: Submandibular saliva did not block the binding of gp120 to immobilized CD4. Incubation of saliva with laboratory strains or primary isolates of HIV-1 resulted in a shift of approximately 50% of the gp120 from the viral pellet to the supernatant. After anion exchange chromatography of submandibular saliva we identified a fraction which inhibited HIV-1 infectivity. This fraction contained two high molecular weight sialyated glycoproteins, and several lower molecular weight proteins. This active fraction also stripped gp120 from the virus.

CONCLUSION: The specific inhibition of HIV-1 infectivity by human submandibular saliva is associated with removal of gp120 from the virus. The active fraction contains several proteins, including two high molecular weight glycoproteins.

Mechanisms of anti-HIV-1 activity of human submandibular saliva.

Conf Retroviruses Opportunistic Infect 1997 Jan 22-26; 4th:140 (abstract no. 412)

Nagashunmugam T, Malamud D, Davis C, Friedman HM; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

Human submandibular saliva contains factors that reduces HIV-1 infectivity in vitro. The mechanism of action of these salivary proteins is unknown. We asked if salivary proteins act at the level of the virus or, instead, on the host cell. Monoclonal antibodies were used to detect cell surface receptors (CD3, CD4, CD7, HLA-DR, LFA-1, and LFA2) on peripheral blood derived mononuclear cells (PBMCs) treated with media or saliva. Our results show that saliva did not block these receptors nor lower the intensity of detection. PBMCs pretreated with saliva showed no inhibition when subsequently infected with HIV-1HxB2. These results suggest that saliva does not exhibit anti-viral activity by modifying the host cell. Saliva did not block binding of gp120 to CD4 nor did it lyse the virus. Incubation of HIV with submandibular saliva did lead to viral aggregation. Virus-saliva aggregates were subjected to centrifugation on a 10-60% sucrose gradient, fractionated and assayed for p24 antigen. The HIV-saliva complex sediments at a higher density compared with virus alone. Analysis of the gradient fractions for gp120 shows that the env protein is displaced from the virion. These results suggest that one mechanism of salivary anti-HIV activity involves removal of gp120 thereby decreasing HIV infectivity. This work was supported by NIH grants DE09569 and RR00040.
"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

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Offline Williams007

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Re: Cunnlingus/oral sex risk confused.....
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2013, 05:33:17 pm »
1 last final question......

I know everyone on this forum believes it's not possible but can I just ask..... Can any HIV fluid be found on the clit or on the cut hood? Only asking as that's the only place my mouth/tongue touched. At no point did I enter the vagina.

I have read HIV becomes ineffective once outside the body, would the clit be considered outside?

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Cunnlingus/oral sex risk confused.....
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2013, 05:41:59 pm »
From the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations:

Quote
Oral sex and women
Licking or sucking the vagina or vaginal lips is very safe in terms of HIV transmission. There is very little HIV in a woman’s vaginal juices, and saliva damages the virus. Dental dams are not necessary for protection against HIV but may help prevent the transmission of other sexually transmissible infections like herpes.
There are no reliable reports of anyone getting HIV from oral sex on a woman with HIV. Likewise, there is no danger of an HIV-positive woman infecting a man by sucking his penis. Condoms can protect both partners from other sexually transmissible infections.

http://www.afao.org.au/about-hiv/hiv-prevention/safe-sex/oral-sex#.Ulcei1DOmSo


You had absolutely zero risk and do not need to be concerned about licking the clit, or the hood, of a woman.

"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

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