👍 Very rare risk:
According to current knowledge, HIV transmission through oral sex (blowing or licking) is very rare
🍆 Protecting helps:
Condoms for blow jobs and dental dams for licking significantly reduce the risk of HIV and many other STIs.
🩸 Avoid injuries:
Semen in the mouth or blood (e.g. menstrual blood) as well as inflamed or injured mucous membranes increase the risk.
🧑⚕️ Attention, STIs:
Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia or syphilis are transmitted much more frequently during oral sex than HIV.
HIV through oral sex - is that even possible?
In short: Yes, HIV can be transmitted through oral sex - but it happens very rarely.
Compared to anal or vaginal sex, the risk is significantly lower, especially if there is no semen or blood in the mouth.
Blowjob (penis in mouth)
The overall risk of HIV is higher when blowing Very low.
Important points:
- As long as no sperm in the mouth bubbles are considered one of the Lowest risk practices in relation to HIV.
- Pleasure drops (pre-ejaculate) normally contain too little virus to pose a relevant risk.
- A Residual risk exists if
- semen gets into the mouth or throat, especially if it swallowed becomes,
- the Oral mucosa irritated or injured (e.g. small wounds, aphthae, bleeding gums).
Licking the vulva (cunnilingus)
For gay, bi+ and trans men, oral sex on the vulva can also play a role:
- At the Licking the vulva is the HIV risk even lower than when blowing.
- It becomes more critical when
- Menstrual blood is in play,
- you Open spots in the mouth have.
Without blood contact, HIV transmission during cunnilingus is extremely unlikely.
Safer sex during oral sex
Even though the risk of HIV during oral sex is comparatively low, you can reduce it even further - and protect yourself from other STIs at the same time.
Condoms & Dental Dams
- At the Bubbles protect Condoms well against HIV and many other sexually transmitted diseases.
- At the Licking a vulva you can use a Condom cloth/dental dam use.
- It is best to use Water- or silicone-based lubricant. This makes everything more pleasant and is gentle on the mucous membranes.
- The following applies to latex: No oil (e.g. oil lotions or Vaseline) because it can make the material porous.
DIY tip:
You can easily make a condom cloth from a condom: Cut off the tip and cut the condom open lengthways - your dental dam is ready.
Protect your mouth & teeth
To avoid minor injuries:
- Better before oral sex not directly before brush your teeth vigorously or use dental floss.
- If you Aphthae, cracks or bleeding gums a break from oral sex with semen/blood in your mouth is a good idea.
- After oral sex, it is enough to clean your mouth with Rinsing out water. Scrubbing too vigorously afterwards can further irritate the mucous membrane.
Communication & Consent
- Discuss beforehand whether Semen in the mouth is okay for you or not.
- Ask your partner to Announce orgasm, so that you can decide for yourself whether you want to stay in the mouth or leave in time.
- Be clear if you feel insecure - your boundaries are just as important as his desire.
What to do after a risk situation?
You should take a break if ...
- you severe inflammation or have open sores in your mouth,
- you have just Dental treatment behind you,
- with you or your partner Blood is involved (e.g. menstruation, bleeding gums),
- the suspicion of a STI (e.g. sore throat, purulent discharge, mouth ulcers).
In these cases, it is advisable to avoid oral sex with semen or blood in the mouth until everything has been clarified.
After a possible risk situation
Have you had oral sex and are worried afterwards?
- Keep calm. HIV transmission through oral sex is rare.
- Assess the risk:
- Came Cum or blood in your mouth?
- Do you have it swallowed?
- Is your partner's HIV status known?
- Get medical advice quickly, if you think it might have been a relevant risk after all - e.g.
- HIV focus practice,
- anonymous test centre,
- Emergency room (especially important if you suffer from PEP are interested).
PEP must as a rule within 24 hours, The treatment should be started within 48-72 hours of the risk in order to be effective. The sooner, the better.
- Plan test:
- Following a clear risk situation, a HIV test after 6 weeks (laboratory test) is recommended to be on the safe side.
- Also take the opportunity to other STIs to be tested.
Sexually transmitted diseases through oral sex
While HIV is rarely transmitted during oral sex, the situation is different for other infections:
- Gonorrhoea
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
- Herpes
- HPV (genital warts)
These pathogens can Very easily via mouth, throat, penis and vulva even without visible symptoms. Therefore:
- Regular STI checks are particularly useful for gay, bi+ and trans men with changing partners.
- Condoms and dental dams not only reduce the risk of HIV, but also protect against many of these infections.
| Case | Situation | HIV risk & assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Case 1: Bubbles without sperm in the mouth | You give your partner a blowjob, but he doesn't come in your mouth. | The HIV risk is Very low. Even if you are worried afterwards: From the point of view of HIV, this is usually No reason to panic. |
| Case 2: Semen in your mouth, you spit it out | Your partner comes in your mouth, you spit out the sperm directly and rinse with water. | The risk is slightly increased, but still significantly lower than with unprotected anal sex. If your partner is HIV-positive and not successfully treated, you should discuss with a specialised HIV practice or emergency department whether a PEP (emergency treatment after risk) makes sense. |
| Case 3: Sperm swallowed by a known HIV-positive partner | You swallow sperm and later find out that your partner is HIV-positive. | If he is under effective therapy and his viral load not detectable (U=U), the risk is considered practically zero. If his status is unclear or he is not undergoing treatment, the risk is higher. low, but available |
| Case 4: Licking the vulva without menstrual blood | You are performing oral sex on a vulva, there is no blood involved. | According to current knowledge, HIV transmission is Extremely unlikely. |
| Case 5: Dental treatment & oral sex immediately afterwards | You have just been to the dentist and had a dental cleaning or treatment with possible bleeding gums, for example. | In the first few hours afterwards, the mucous membrane is often Irritated or injured - During this time, you should refrain from oral sex with semen or blood in your mouth to minimise the risk. |
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about HIV through oral sex
Oral sex is considered one of the safest sexual practices when it comes to HIV - but it's not entirely without risk. Here you will find answers to typical questions about HIV through oral sex, blowing and licking.
The risk of HIV transmission during blowjob (penis in mouth) is significantly lower than during unprotected anal or vaginal sex. A relevant risk exists above all when
Cum in your mouth comes,
you do Swallow,
and your Oral mucosa injured or inflamed (e.g. due to canker sores, bleeding gums or recent dental treatment).
If no sperm is involved, the following applies HIV during blowing as very unlikely.
Compared to Anal intercourse without a condom is the risk of oral sex much lower.
In short:
Highest risk: unprotected anal intercourse
Significantly lower risk: Oral sex with semen in the mouth
Very low risk: Oral sex without semen or blood in the mouth
This is why oral sex is often „Safer sex variant“ especially if you also use condoms or dental dams.
Reiner Saliva is not considered a transmission route for HIV. In saliva, the virus is so diluted and weakened by enzymes that infection is practically impossible.
The distinction is important:
Saliva alone → no relevant HIV risk
Saliva mixed with blood or semen → Here it depends on the quantity, the HIV status of the person and the condition of your mucous membrane.
When kissing or moistening condoms with saliva, you must be aware of HIV don't worry.
Oral sex on the vulva (cunnilingus) is not a risk factor for HIV Very low risk.
It becomes somewhat more important when:
Menstrual blood is in play,
you Vacancies or have inflammation in your mouth.
According to current knowledge, HIV transmission through cunnilingus is not possible without blood contact. Extremely unlikely. However, other STIs can also be transmitted here - a dental dam or condom wipe can provide additional protection.
Other Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are used during oral sex much more often than HIV, for example:
Gonorrhoea in the throat
Chlamydia
Syphilis
Herpes
HPV (genital warts)
Sometimes you don't even notice it because many infections without symptoms can take place.
That is why:
Condoms and dental dams also provide protection here,
Regular STI checks (incl. throat swab) are useful if you frequently have oral sex with changing partners.
First of all: Stay calm - HIV transmissions are also rare here. Then:
Spit out sperm, Rinse mouth with water. Do not rinse aggressively or brush your teeth immediately afterwards.
Assess the risk:
Was your partner HIV-positive or is its status unknown?
Do you have sperm swallowed?
Did you have Vacancies in the mouth?
Get medical advice quickly, if you think it could have been a relevant risk, e.g. in a
HIV/STD focal practice,
AIDS service organisation,
Emergency room.
They will discuss with you whether a PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) makes sense. This should be as within 24 hours, at the latest within 48 hours of the event.
More about HIV
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- Positive. What now?
- HIV test
- HIV symptoms & progression
- HIV transmission
Blog posts about HIV and oral sex
Exciting articles and voices from the community: Find out more about experiences with safer sex during oral sex, knowledge about HIV risks and other STIs - and how you can reliably protect yourself when blowing or licking.
Materials to inform and share
Here you will find various materials on HIV, AIDS and queer health - digital or printed, to read, look at and pass on.
HIV / AIDS, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases
Basic information on transmission, protection, diagnosis, treatment | 2023 „HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases“...
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