HIV Transmission through Oral Sex: Facts and Myths
There”s not a single person in our world who hasn”t heard of AIDS or HIV infection. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of doctors and governments, the situation isn”t improving. The World Health Organization states that the virus has already claimed more than 35 million lives. More than 37 million people have been infected.
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Information that can help and hinder
Fear of infection is so great that it”s skewed in the opposite direction. Despite media reports and medical advice, people continue to believe that you can become infected by literally breathing in the same breath as someone who”s sick. In 2016, a UK survey found that 20% of people believed the virus was transmitted through kissing and contact, which is significantly higher than the number of people in the UK who believe the virus is transmitted through kissing and contact.
Yes, scientists never tire of repeating that people in this world cannot consider themselves completely safe. However, misinterpreted information can do more harm than good. It is crucial to know everything there is to know about everything related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Can you get AIDS through oral sex?
Questions continue to arise. For example, can you get HIV through oral sex? The question is logical. According to statistics, the probability of infection through sexual contact is approximately 1%. However, sexual intercourse is the mode of transmission.
In short, you can. What is the risk of infection if you engage in oral sex with this diagnosis?
However, there are surprisingly few doctors with this diagnosis. Therefore, the risk of HIV infection through oral sex falls into this category. Researchers claim that this type of sex transmits the infection in 4 out of 10, 000 cases, or 0. 04%. This is a very small percentage, but it still exists. However, these figures can also be considered arbitrary, as people rarely engage in the same type of sex, making it difficult to identify a pattern.
What factors influence this?
Viral Load
Viral load indicates the amount of virus present. High levels can be found in blood, other fluids—even vaginal secretions and semen.
If the viral load is low, the risk of HIV infection is negligible.
Read also: Is it possible to have oral sex and is it safe for men and women?
Oral love is considered a preliminary foreplay to passionate sex. Sometimes, however, people are content with just that, without any sexual content.
This is the definition and the purpose of treatment as a burden of uncertainty. In other words, the amount of virus cannot be determined by laboratory analysis.
The sad fact is that 9. 4 million people are unaware that they are infected with HIV. If infection does occur, it occurs during the “window” period (6-12 weeks), when tests may be negative but the viral load is at its highest. The risk of infection from such persons increases 26 times. During this period, oral sex with such people becomes unsafe.
However, if the patient is taking medication, the viral load is low. And if you are not sure, then the risk of infection is reduced by 96%, which makes it impossible to become infected through oral sex.
In general, as a rule, it is very difficult to become infected in this way. Why?
Human Fluids
The AIDS virus, which enters the external environment, quickly dies. It lives only in human fluids, semen, blood and vaginal secretions and is only contagious through them. However, it does not live in saliva, since this is a hostile environment for it. Even having reached it, he dies almost instantly. Therefore, kissing is always safe and secure.
HIV Transmission through Oral Contact
Factors that Increase the Risk
Saliva is very susceptible to the virus, and the risk of infection tends to zero. Why is he still there? As always, factors that increase the risk of infection play a role — cuts, wounds, bleeding gums. If the viral load is high, there is an open wound in the mouth, and sexual activity is not protected, there is a possibility of infection. If there is no confidence, then there is no risk.
Oddly enough, there is another factor influencing the infection. This is partner cruelty. Obviously, here, with such treatment, even oral sex plays a role, since trauma, microcracks and even bleeding can occur.
How to Protect Yourself?
Condoms, of course. Yes, and it is better to use them during oral sex. It is also better to interrupt the fall before ejaculation, since there is a virus in this fluid.
Do not engage in this type of sex if the woman is menstruating.
Do not brush your teeth and do not eat foods that are harmful to the oral cavity: nuts, seeds and hard objects. Now think about who you trust with their health.
So, What Should You Do?
No matter how much doctors scare people away from the dangers of the disease, people continue to live and love. Scientists conducted a study of MSM (men who have sex with men) to find partners on the Internet. Among other things, one of the key questions is: what are they most afraid of? Many fears were listed: new acquaintances, theft, rape, or simply a dislike of violence. AIDS was not considered a suspect.
Moreover, when it comes to emotions, when it comes to compassion and love, no one thinks much about threats. It”s great that people remain people no matter what! And if you are too frivolous and gullible, you can avoid danger if you follow the basic rules of behavior, especially regarding the transmission of HIV through the mouth.
