Sexual contact and the risk of contracting HIV

During vaginal, oral, or anal sex, the receiving partner has the higher risk of contracting HIV. Men who allow other men to perform anal sex on them have the highest risk. The inserting male partner has a lower risk, but the risk increases if he is uncircumcised. Women who have vaginal or anal sex with infected men are also in danger. The risk decreases with the use of condoms.

HIV can be transmitted through small sores in the mouth or bleeding gums during oral sex.



Author: Douglas Dana
Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Last Updated: October 10, 2007
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine

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