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Oral sex is unlikely to transmit HIV, even in situations where condoms are not used. However, there is still a risk, especially for people who have a mouth injury. Therefore, it is recommended to use a condom at any stage of the sexual act, as it is thus possible to avoid contact with the HIV virus.
Although the risk of HIV contamination is low through oral sex without a condom, there are other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HPV, chlamydia and / or gonorrhea, which can also be transmitted from one person to another through oral sex. Know the main STIs, how they are transmitted and their symptoms.
When there is greater risk
The risk of contamination by the HIV virus is higher when performing unprotected oral sex on another person who has already been diagnosed with HIV / AIDS, because the amount of virus circulating in the body of the infected person is quite high, making it easier to transmit to others. the other person.
However, having contact with the HIV virus does not necessarily indicate that the person will develop the disease, because it depends on the amount of virus to which he was exposed and the response of his immune system. However, as it is only possible to know the viral load through specific blood tests, sexual contact without a condom is considered to be at high risk.
Better understand the difference between AIDS and HIV.
Other forms of transmission
The main forms of HIV transmission include:
- Direct contact with the blood of people with HIV / AIDS;
- Contact with secretions from the vagina, penis and / or anus;
- Via mother and newborn, when the mother has the disease and is not being treated;
- If the mother has the disease, breastfeed the baby, even while being treated.
Situations such as sharing glasses or cutlery, contact with sweat or kissing on the mouth, do not present a risk of contamination. On the other hand, to develop the disease, it is necessary that the immune system of the infected person is more compromised, this is because the person may be carrying the virus and not manifest the disease.
What to do in case of suspicion
When there is a suspicion of HIV infection after having practiced oral sex without using a condom, or if the condom has broken or left during sexual intercourse, it is recommended to see a doctor within 72 hours after the event, so that the need to use PEP, which is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.
PEP is a treatment made with some remedies that prevent the virus from multiplying in the body, and must be done for 28 days, strictly following the doctor's instructions.
There is also the possibility that the doctor will order the rapid HIV test that is done at the health unit and the result will be out within 30 minutes. This test can be retaken after 28 days of PEP treatment, if the doctor considers it necessary. Here's what to do if you suspect HIV infection.
In the event that the result is positive for HIV, the person will be referred to the beginning of treatment, which is confidential and free, in addition to having the help of professionals from psychology or psychiatry.
How to decrease your risk of getting HIV
The main way to prevent contact with HIV, whether orally or by any other form of sexual contact, is through the use of condoms during sexual intercourse. However, other ways to prevent HIV infection are:
- Conduct an annual test to check for the presence of other STIs;
- Reduce the number of sexual partners;
- Avoid direct contact or ingestion of body fluids, such as semen, vaginal fluid and blood;
- Do not use syringes and needles already used by others;
- Give preference to going to manicurists, tattoo artists or podiatrists who use disposable materials or who follow all the rules for sterilizing used materials.
It is also recommended that a rapid HIV test be carried out at least every six months, so that, if there is an infection, treatment is started before the onset of symptoms, in order to prevent the onset of AIDS.