PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - S Edwards
AU  - C Carne
TI  - Oral sex and the transmission of viral STIs.
AID  - 10.1136/sti.74.1.6
DP  - 1998 Feb 01
TA  - Sexually Transmitted Infections
PG  - 6--10
VI  - 74
IP  - 1
4099  - http://sti.bmj.com/content/74/1/6.short
4100  - http://sti.bmj.com/content/74/1/6.full
SO  - Sex Transm Infect1998 Feb 01; 74
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on the role of oral sex in the transmission of viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs). METHOD: A Medline search was performed using the keywords oro-genital sex, and those specific to each infection. Further references from each article identified by Medline were also included, as were relevant references from "Current contents". CONCLUSIONS: Oral sex is a common sexual practice among both heterosexual and homosexual couples. The evidence suggests that HIV transmission can take place through oro-genital sex from penis to mouth and vagina to mouth. Case reports describe apparent transmission from mouth to penis although this appears less likely. The risk of oro-genital transmission of HIV is substantially less than from vaginal and anal intercourse. Receptive oro-genital sex carries a small risk of human papillomavirus infection and possibly hepatitis C, while insertive oro-genital contact is an important risk factor for acquisition of HSV 1. Oro-anal transmission can occur with hepatitis A and B. The transmission of other viruses may occur but is unproved. The relative importance of oral sex as a route for the transmission of viruses is likely to increase as other, higher risk sexual practices are avoided for fear of acquiring HIV infection.