The following guidelines for HIV test counseling messages around the risk of oral sex were taken from the Counselor Manual developed by the California Department of Health Services, Office of Testing and Counseling.
Oral sex is a common sexual practice among heterosexual, gay, and lesbian partners.
Because barrier protetion is often not used, the risk of HIV infection from oral sex is importan t to explore. No study has provided convincing evidence that oral sex HIV transmission is common. There is some risk of HIV transmission from unprotected oral sex. From all available evidence, this risk appears to be extremely small and far less than unprotected anal receptive sex, unprotected anal insertive sex, or unprotected vaginal sex. Counselors who are uncomfortable with the message of low oral sex risk should explore their own reluctance to accept the prevailing evidence.