BBC Wednesday, 4 July, 2001, 23:01 GMT 00:01 UK

Oral sex HIV warning

The risk of contracting HIV from oral sex may be greater than previously thought.

It has long been known that the virus can be transmitted through oral sex - but the risk was thought to be minimal.

However, research in the UK and US among gay men now suggests that oral sex may be responsible for up to 8% of HIV infections.

Other sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis and gonorrhoea are also spread from person to person by oral sex.

Public health experts fear that the public is unaware of the dangers associated with the practice because it remains largely a taboo subject.

In addition, anecdotal evidence from other countries like the US suggests that people tend to reject messages advising them always to use condoms for oral sex.

In fact, such messages can, in theory at least, put people off condom use altogether.

Greater awareness

A report by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) report concludes it is important for people to be more aware of the dangers and decide for themselves the level of risk they consider acceptable.

Dr Barry Evans, an PHLS expert on sexual diseases, said: "The picture that is emerging is that the risk is greater than previously thought.

"Instead of a handful of cases a year in the UK of HIV being transmitted through oral sex, we are seeing 30 to 50."

Dr Evans stressed that HIV is mostly spread through anal and vaginal sex.

Recent studies confirm that unprotected anal sex is clearly the highest risk activity, accounting for over 90% of transmission in gay men in the UK.

To coincide with the public health report, the HIV charity, the Terrence Higgins Trust has begun a six-week advertising campaign, mainly in the gay press, warning of the health dangers of oral sex.

The charity's Will Nutland said: "We know from talking to gay men about their sex lives that many of them have concerns and questions about oral sex, and these adverts provide easy-to-understand information, with contact details for further advice should they want it."

Research has shown that not ejaculating into the mouth of an uninfected person during oral sex may lessen the risk of HIV transmission.

However, it will not eliminate it totally as pre-ejaculatory fluid is also capable of transmitting the HIV virus.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2001

Answers

not gonna taste... em ... er... I mean touch this one either.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2001

Git...I think you have WAY too much time on your hands!!!!!! hahahahaha

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2001

As long as it's just time...

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2001

Just providing info you might not get elsewhere. :)

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2001

Look at the world we're leaving for our kids. A world without oral sex.

I wonder if they will pin it on Clinton...

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2001

Yeah, but wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall to hear the kids' conversations when they find our sex toys after our deaths?

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2001

Firemouse has just raised an important issue regarding the discovery of sex toys after our deaths. Fruits and vegetables should be carefully reconsidered as substitutes.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2001

I recall a line in a movie about a dead babysitter, name forgotten, where one woman says to the star of the movie, "no woman over 25 should be caught dead without a cucumber in the house." or words to that effect.

At the time I thought she was referring to putting slices over her eyes...

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2001

I found them BEFORE my parents passed on. At least I found the photos Dad had taken and developed himself. I suppose I should feel relieved that the woman is his wife.

The depressing part of the photos was realizing what a fox Mother was when she was young. It doesn't give me much hope for the withered rag I'm likely to degenerate to. :-(

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2001

Think "comportment", Brooks. Even a rag looks grand when it's waved proudly.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2001

Never mind "when Mother was young." I have to live up to a mother who was a fox at my current age, 49. And considerably foxier than I am at present. But then, I can write juicier emails then she ever would have thought to do, so I suppose I make up for it in some spheres.

Helen, what a wonderful reply! We're so glad to have you here.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2001

heh heh

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2001

I have a story for you.

My employers make sure we take our legally mandated breaks. There is nothing to do, and I know very few of my coworkers to talk to. I usually read magazines at my desk. My sister had just given me a large stack of magazines that I don't normally read.

Just as I opened one of the magazines, a minor emergency called me away from my desk. I left the magazine lying open on my desk in a high-traffic area about three feet from not one, but two, supervisors.

When I got back to my desk and actually looked at the page lying open, I realized the article proclaimed in large letters "Hot New Oral Sex Tips Guaranteed to Drive Him Wild".

I looked around quickly to see if anyone had noticed, and from the Cheshire Cat grins all around me, I guessed that everyone had.

If you're in for a penny, might as well be in for a pound. I read the article. Those weren't new techniques. I knew them way back in 19--THREAD DRIFT!

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2001

You know that from now on, if you bring a banana or lollipop for a snack, all eyes will be on you....

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2001

Oh, yes, I think you should, Helen!

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2001

But Helen, I thought you said you never?

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2001

yes, Carl

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2001

Yes what?

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2001