What Are The Chances Of Transmission Of HIV Through Unprotected Oral Sex?
Oral sex 'relatively' safe unprotected
Detailed Answer:
Hi there XXXXXXX
I concur with your inferences & your understanding of oral sex & HIV transmission.
Any form of unprotected sex is only unsafe if the recipient has cuts or a breach in his/her mucous membranes be it oral, peno-vaginal or anal or any other form.
These are all mucous membranes & 2 factors play a role : 'friction' during sex & the risk increases therefore with an area like the anus & 'cuts' in the mucous membranes whose risk also increases depending on the region, position etc.
My advice to you would be to forget about 'percentages' as these also are 'relative'.
HIV transmission occurs through exchange of blood & blood products 'admixed' with secretions. So if there are no blood/blood-products involved in oral sex (excluding cuts & XXXXXXX ulcers), yes you could say oral sex was relatively safe & this accounts for the 'very low risk' that you have read about in articles.
However, here we are not accounting for 'microabrasions' that occur during sex. So in conclusion, I am afraid if I wanted to be 'safe', I would use protection even during an act of oral sex to be absolutely 100% sure.
I do hope this answer is clear, precise & answers' your query.
Good Luck, Godspeed & do stay 'Safe'!
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD