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En Español
Female-to-female
transmission of HIV appears to be a rare occurrence. However, there are case
reports of female-to-female transmission
of HIV. The well documented risk of female-to-male transmission of HIV shows
that vaginal secretions and menstrual blood may contain the virus and that
mucous membrane (e.g., oral, vaginal) exposure to these secretions has the
potential to lead to HIV infection.
In order to reduce the risk of HIV transmission, women who have sex with women
should do the following:
- Avoid exposure
of a mucous membrane, such as the mouth, (especially non-intact tissue)
to vaginal secretions
and menstrual blood.
- Use condoms consistently
and correctly each and every time for sexual contact with men or when using
sex toys. Sex toys should
not be shared. No
barrier methods for use during oral sex have been evaluated as effective by
the FDA.
However, natural rubber latex sheets, dental dams, cut open condoms,
or plastic wrap may offer some protection from contact with body fluids during
oral
sex
and possibly reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
- Know your own and
your partner’s HIV status. This knowledge can
help uninfected women begin and maintain behavioral changes that reduce the risk
of becoming infected. For women who are found to be infected, it can
assist
in getting early treatment and avoiding infecting others.
For more information
refer to “HIV/AIDS among Women Who Have Sex
with Women”.
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