AboutTerry B Expertise Help in assessing personal and professional risk of HIV transmission; tips in teaching about HIV/AIDS; cultural competency for teaching about HIV/AIDS in Catholic settings; considerations in US and overseas HIV/AIDS programs and education for health and other professionals. Specific questions about treatment should be referred to your health provider; opinions and information offered are not meant to replace medical advice
Experience Seven years with academic medical center and national AIDS education and training center, seven subsequent years with focus on international HIV/AIDS in East and South Africa. Former clinician, bioethics preceptor at an academic medical center and presenter in wide range of fora including international AIDS conference.
Organizations Disabled American Veterans
American Public Health Association
MENSA
AA
Publications Human Variety, EC Sociological Society
Proceedings of the International AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa
"HIV and Primary Care"
Education/Credentials BS Psychology
MPH Master of Public Health
PhD studies underway
Awards and Honors Naval School of Health Sciences, Hospital Corps with Highest Honors, Neuropsychiatry with Honors and High Distinction
I am a 30 years old man and I would like to know if there is a risk to get infected with HIV if you receive oral sex.I mean,you never know if the woman has some small wounds on the gums or whatever.How risky it is?Is it helping in anyway ,for example ,if for my safety the woman washes her mouth with mouth water before giving me the oral sex?
Thank you.
Answer Dear Giovanni:
Peace. The risk of HIV transmission from oral sex is present but lower than other risk behaviors. The greatest risk is to the person who is exposed to the blood, semen, and/or vaginal secretions. To use a mouth wash would seem to reduce risk if it is an astringent, that is, something that reduces incidental bleeding. There's more information on reducing risk of oral transmission at www.thebody.com and www.avert.org and using a condom is always helpful.
