STIs from oral sex?

LegacyUser

28 y/o gay guy here. Last night i got a bit drunk and ended up going in to the boilerhouse gay sauna after been out clubbing. had a great time, with a few different fellas. then one fella i was giving oral sex to and he came in my mouth and i swollowed it - how dangerous is that? i never usually let someone come in my mouth so im kinda freaking out. is it very risky for stis? thanks

ackadolg

apparently us humans , can have Chlamydia in the throat
As exciting as oral sex is , it can end up just being a total worry , esp if it was with someone you don't know , or who's sexual history you don't know.

here's what one website says...

STD Advice Column
Can I get an STD from Oral Sex?

Dear STD Advice,I always use protection for intercourse, but never have for oral sex. Yet recently I heard of someone who got an STD from oral sex. Is that possible? ~ Orally Confused

Dear Orally Confused,
It is definitely possible to catch an STD simply from unprotected oral sex. In fact, several STDs can be transmitted via oral sex including herpes, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
In some cases, HIV can also be transmitted during oral sex. Here's what the CDC says about that:
It is possible for either partner to become infected with HIV through performing or receiving oral sex. There have been a few cases of HIV transmission from performing oral sex on a person infected with HIV. While no one knows exactly what the degree of risk is, evidence suggests that the risk is less than that of unprotected anal or vaginal sex.
If the person performing oral sex has HIV, blood from their mouth may enter the body of the person receiving oral sex through

> the lining of the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis);
> the lining of the vagina or cervix;
> the lining of the anus; or
> directly into the body through small cuts or open sores.

If the person receiving oral sex has HIV, their blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), or vaginal fluid may contain the virus. Cells lining the mouth of the person performing oral sex may allow HIV to enter their body.
The risk of HIV transmission increases

> if the person performing oral sex has cuts or sores around or in their mouth or throat;
> if the person receiving oral sex ejaculates in the mouth of the person performing oral sex; or
> if the person receiving oral sex has another sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Not having (abstaining from) sex is the most effective way to avoid HIV.


The risks are there. Pick a partner and stick to having sex with one person.

And please ... stop ****ing around.

Michellenman

ackadolg wrote: »

apparently us humans , can have Chlamydia in the throat
As exciting as oral sex is , it can end up just being a total worry , esp if it was with someone you don't know , or who's sexual history you don't know.

here's what one website says...

STD Advice Column
Can I get an STD from Oral Sex?

Dear STD Advice,I always use protection for intercourse, but never have for oral sex. Yet recently I heard of someone who got an STD from oral sex. Is that possible? ~ Orally Confused

Dear Orally Confused,
It is definitely possible to catch an STD simply from unprotected oral sex. In fact, several STDs can be transmitted via oral sex including herpes, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
In some cases, HIV can also be transmitted during oral sex. Here's what the CDC says about that:
It is possible for either partner to become infected with HIV through performing or receiving oral sex. There have been a few cases of HIV transmission from performing oral sex on a person infected with HIV. While no one knows exactly what the degree of risk is, evidence suggests that the risk is less than that of unprotected anal or vaginal sex.
If the person performing oral sex has HIV, blood from their mouth may enter the body of the person receiving oral sex through

> the lining of the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis);
> the lining of the vagina or cervix;
> the lining of the anus; or
> directly into the body through small cuts or open sores.

If the person receiving oral sex has HIV, their blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), or vaginal fluid may contain the virus. Cells lining the mouth of the person performing oral sex may allow HIV to enter their body.
The risk of HIV transmission increases

> if the person performing oral sex has cuts or sores around or in their mouth or throat;
> if the person receiving oral sex ejaculates in the mouth of the person performing oral sex; or
> if the person receiving oral sex has another sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Not having (abstaining from) sex is the most effective way to avoid HIV.


The risks are there. Pick a partner and stick to having sex with one person.

And please ... stop ****ing around.

There's really no need for that last part.

Op, there are risks with everything. Best to have yourself checked out as soon as you can even if it's just to put your mind at ease.

Max Power1

most forms of sexual intercourse or sexual contact involve a risk for STI transmission. If youre in any doubt, best to get tested OP

DigiGal

Max Power1 wrote: »

most forms of sexual intercourse or sexual contact involve a risk for STI transmission. If youre in any doubt, best to get tested OP

There is a risk of HIV and herpes for definite.....

Get yourself checked out and OP next time be careful, you might have had a great time but is it really worth your life...
HIV is risky business!

Bottle_of_Smoke

Might wanna look up a counsellor. You'll be looking at 3-6months for a conclusive result.

You shouldn't be going to sauna's for casual sex. You're guaranteed anyone you meet will have had multiple partners. Men having gay sex made up over 20% of the last report of HIV cases despite making up less than 5% of the population. And if it weren't for African immigrants\IV drug users they'd be making up close to one hundred percent.

Don't think that you can rely on condoms either, they break and often unprotected sex happens in the heat of the moment. With the demographic you're dabbling with its utter stupidity to go to these places.

RossFixxxed

Go get it checked, if nothing else it will help your worry. I don't agree with the stop ****ing around comment, but I would give the 'use protection' if it's not with a partner you trust!

aidan24326

DigiGal wrote: »

There is a risk of HIV and herpes for definite.....

Get yourself checked out and OP next time be careful, you might have had a great time but is it really worth your life...
HIV is risky business!

The risk of contracting HIV from oral sex is very low, whether giving or receiving. But other STDs do carry greater risk (from oral), so if the OP is worried he should get checked out. (for a gay male who has casual partners I would think a regular checkup once or twice a year would be a good idea anyway).

LegacyUser

aidan24326 wrote: »

The risk of contracting HIV from oral sex is very low

It's so low it's practically non-existant. In fact, it currently is non-existant; the risk is just theoretical.

OP: what you did is so low risk you should not be worrying. To put your mind at ease, consider this:

When you get tested for STIs they don't look at your throat. They don't ask about your throat. They don't ask you about oral sex. They don't care if you've had oral sex. That must mean something.

Bottle_of_Smoke

sqkjsdlkjad wrote: »

It's so low it's practically non-existant. In fact, it currently is non-existant; the risk is just theoretical.

OP: what you did is so low risk you should not be worrying. To put your mind at ease, consider this:

When you get tested for STIs they don't look at your throat. They don't ask about your throat. They don't ask you about oral sex. They don't care if you've had oral sex. That must mean something.

They should. Recently read an article by a guy called Dr.Freedman(well respected Irish GUM doctor) advising women to ensure they tell their doctor during STI tests if they've had oral/anal sex as most won't enquire.

A mate of mine got chlamydia a while back, he said always uses condoms but said he had unprotected oral. Reckons he got it that way.

You're probably right about the HIV risk from oral alright, the above article has no statistics. My post was mainly attacking the culture of meeting strangers for anal sex with condoms, which I get the impression the OP is doing, I'd be a lot more concerned about that than unprotected oral.

Bottle_of_Smoke

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

They should. Recently read an article by a guy called Dr.Freedman(well respected Irish GUM doctor) advising women to ensure they tell their doctor during STI tests if they've had oral/anal sex as most won't enquire.

A mate of mine got chlamydia a while back, he said always uses condoms but said he had unprotected oral. Reckons he got it that way.

You're probably right about the HIV risk from oral alright, the above article has no statistics. My post was mainly attacking the culture of meeting strangers for anal sex with condoms, which I get the impression the OP is doing, I'd be a lot more concerned about that than unprotected oral.

But almost everyone has oral sex. Everyone knows that. If the risk from oral was anything like the risk from penetrative sex, they would test the throat as standard, no? I brought this up with Dr Freedman in person and he told me of a case where a guy got it from his girlfriend's throat, but gave me the impression this was pretty rare, as the guy and his girlfriend had been getting tested over and over for months without anyone asking about oral. He (Freedman) didn't ask me about oral. I thought it pretty odd - if you've made the effort to go in and get tested, why not check the throat - but it must be so unlikely, they don't generally bother.
Getting head off randoms on a regular basis is obviously riskier than someone who has a partner a year, however. In that situation I'd personally use a condom or stick to other activities.

opinion guy

sqkjsdlkjad wrote: »

It's so low it's practically non-existant. In fact, it currently is non-existant; the risk is just theoretical.

OP: what you did is so low risk you should not be worrying. To put your mind at ease, consider this:

When you get tested for STIs they don't look at your throat. They don't ask about your throat. They don't ask you about oral sex. They don't care if you've had oral sex. That must mean something.

[quote=[Deleted User];62208648]But almost everyone has oral sex. Everyone knows that. If the risk from oral was anything like the risk from penetrative sex, they would test the throat as standard, no? I brought this up with Dr Freedman in person and he told me of a case where a guy got it from his girlfriend's throat, but gave me the impression this was pretty rare, as the guy and his girlfriend had been getting tested over and over for months without anyone asking about oral. He (Freedman) didn't ask me about oral. I thought it pretty odd - if you've made the effort to go in and get tested, why not check the throat - but it must be so unlikely, they don't generally bother.
Getting head off randoms on a regular basis is obviously riskier than someone who has a partner a year, however. In that situation I'd personally use a condom or stick to other activities.[/quote]


ok where to begin ?
Right
First -> yes the risk of getting HIV from oral is probably small. Yes it is theoretical. But there is a reason for that. The reason is that its really hard to prove when it could occur. It would mean knowing that say the giver happened to have an oral ulcer at the time leading to fresh blood int he mouth. It would mean knowing the receiver also happened to have an abrasion on his bellend. it would also mean knowing the people did not happen to also have penetrative sex at the same encounter. So the most accurate thing to say is - yes it is a theoretical risk, yes it has probably happened but is likely impossible to prove outside of a lab setup (which would be highly unethical needless to say), its impossible to put odds on - the likelihood is low but probably not zero

Second -> the reason they don't as a routine check your throat for std's is because if you have an infection in your throat you will most likely have symptoms to complain about.

Third -> you can also get chlamydia infection in the lungs - chlamydia pneuomina. you can also get chlamydia in your eyes - chlamydia conjunctivitis. you can catch herpes from oral. possibly syphillis. possibly ghonnorhea. Lets not forget glandular fever which you can catch from merely kissing an infected partner

Fourth -> Some of these std's can be spread by contact alone OP. coming is not necessarily required.

Fifth -> Its 2009 not 1969. Free love is dead and gone. I'm sorry OP but engaging in mutiple sex acts with multiple partners is engaging in risky behaviour for you health and leaves you open to a wide range of infections. Full Stop.


OP you should to an std clinic and get yourself checked out. they can also advise you on safe sex. Don't sit there worrying, just go do something about it. Have a little think about how your sex life can affect your health.
Good luck

Bottle_of_Smoke

[quote=[Deleted User];62208648]But almost everyone has oral sex. Everyone knows that. If the risk from oral was anything like the risk from penetrative sex, they would test the throat as standard, no? I brought this up with Dr Freedman in person and he told me of a case where a guy got it from his girlfriend's throat, but gave me the impression this was pretty rare, as the guy and his girlfriend had been getting tested over and over for months without anyone asking about oral. He (Freedman) didn't ask me about oral. I thought it pretty odd - if you've made the effort to go in and get tested, why not check the throat - but it must be so unlikely, they don't generally bother.
Getting head off randoms on a regular basis is obviously riskier than someone who has a partner a year, however. In that situation I'd personally use a condom or stick to other activities.[/QUOTE]

That's utterly bizarre, don't know why he wrote that article so.

Bottle_of_Smoke

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

That's utterly bizarre, don't know why he wrote that article so.

Well, I told him I'd been with 2 long term boyfriends. Perhaps if I'd said I was with a randomer every weekend, he would have swabbed my throat. I think they take what you tell them into account.

aidan24326

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

You're probably right about the HIV risk from oral alright, the above article has no statistics. My post was mainly attacking the culture of meeting strangers for anal sex with condoms, which I get the impression the OP is doing, I'd be a lot more concerned about that than unprotected oral.

I saw an article with stats from the WHO a while back. I recall the risk of contracting HIV from oral sex was around 1 in 10,000 if you're the receptive partner and 1 in 20,000 if you're the insertive. The figure of 10,000 is exposures to an infected source, so the risk of infection via oral is considered extremely low.

Anal sex is by far the highest risk (it's considered about 8 times riskier if you're the receptive partner). So if you're having receptive anal with multiple partners that would be the highest risk category as far as sexual behaviour goes, certainly for HIV but I'd imagine for some if not most other STIs also.

LegacyUser

Interesting to read this thread... I always thought there was a much higher risk of contracting HIV from oral.

Anyway, the other weekend in a very stupid haze of drunkness I ended up going to some guys hotel room and sucking him off... I don't even remember if he came in my mouth. This was pretty out of character, but I'm wondering how long you have to wait after a sex act for a contamination to show up in your blood? As I recall it's 6 weeks but I'm not sure. I've gotten tested before at St. James' but I was wondering if you can get results faster if you go to your GP or will they just send you over there anyway? It's something that's really stressing me out for a variety of reasons...

Lastly how do you guys/girls deal with the stress of everytime you've had sex of some sort you could have contracted something? I was with a guy for over 2 years so I never really had to worry about STIs so I don't really get how soem people go out and sleep with anyone and aren't dying with worry the next day!

aidan24326

WorriedGuy wrote: »

...but I'm wondering how long you have to wait after a sex act for a contamination to show up in your blood?

Depends which type of infection you're talking about, can be anything from weeks to months, sometimes with no obvious symptoms either.

Lastly how do you guys/girls deal with the stress of everytime you've had sex of some sort you could have contracted something? I was with a guy for over 2 years so I never really had to worry about STIs so I don't really get how soem people go out and sleep with anyone and aren't dying with worry the next day!

There's really no use in stressing after every sexual encounter, especially if you've used protection you should be ok. You have as much chance of being knocked down crossing the road. Use protection and get tested once in a while and you'll probably be fine, the only way to eliminate the risk altogether is to never have sex, but again that's like saying you should never get into a car in case it crashes. And remember many STIs are treatable, so take that test if you're worried. And tbh, your chances of contracting HIV are very slim so I wouldn't fret over that, you'd have a much greater chance of getting something like gonnhoraea or chlamydia (treatable and not too serious if caught early, but potentially damaging if left undetected and untreated).

Victor

sqkjsdlkjad wrote: »

It's so low it's practically non-existant. In fact, it currently is non-existant; the risk is just theoretical.

No, there have been recorded cases, although it usually involves someone with gum disease or other damage.