Q: Hi Doctor, may I ask: is it possible to get HIV from oral sex, whereby the female is HIV positive giving the blow job to a HIV negative guy? Cheers

A: Well, HIV infection through oral sex is not the usual route of HIV infection. However, it is possible. There may be small cuts in the mouth of the female who is HIV-positive from which the virus will gain entrance into the body of the male through the urethra (the opening at the top of the penis from where sperm and urine come out) or anus. In the same way, if an HIV-positive person receives oral sex, the virus can gain entrance into the partner’s body when semen and vaginal fluids get into the mouth.

This risk of contacting HIV through oral sex is increased in the presence of already existing Sexually Transmitted Infections, mouth ulcers, bleeding gums and…