United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
National HIV/AIDS Program
Patients' Home > FAQs > Question & AnswerEnlarge Text Size:Small Font SizeMedium Font SizeLarge Font Size

Frequently Asked Questions

Question:

Can you get HIV through oral sex?

Answer:

The risk of getting HIV through receiving oral sex is very, very low.

We can't say that there's zero risk, because there are a few cases of HIV infection in people who have no other known risk factors for HIV.

Also, we can imagine a scenario where an HIV-positive person's mouth is bleeding when he or she is giving oral sex. This could increase the risk of infecting the partner. But, in general, transmitting HIV to someone receiving oral sex is probably a very rare occurrence.

The risk of getting HIV through giving oral sex is low compared with unprotected vaginal or anal sex, but there is some risk. The risk appears to be higher if you have cuts or sores in your mouth. Risk also appears to increase with the amount of your partner's fluids that contact your mouth and throat. If there is blood in these fluids, that probably increases the risk as well.

Of course, if your partner is not HIV infected, there is no risk of getting HIV. But if your partner is HIV positive, or you are not sure, it makes sense to use a condom or other barrier (a latex sheet, for example) for oral sex. (See Tips for using condoms and dental dams for more information.)