Lifestyle Corner: Living with HIV: How to Make it Easier
Ages & Stages: HIV & Pregnancy
Ask the Expert: Commonly Asked Questions about HIV/AIDS
Volume
28
Number 2
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Q.
Can I get HIV through oral sex?
A. Yes, you can. While the likelihood of the virus's transmission isn't as high during oral sex as during vaginal or anal sex, there are cases in which the virus has been transmitted this way. For instance, you may have sores or cuts in your mouth through which the virus could enter. And, of course, semen and vaginal fluid may contain the virus, which could enter your body through cells lining your mouth.
If you choose to perform oral sex, make sure your male partner uses a condom. Female partners
should use a dental dam or a cut-open condom in their mouth to create a barrier. You can even
use plastic food wrap as a barrier during oral sex with a woman or as an added protection during
oral sex with a man.
--
Beryl A. Koblin, PhD
Head, Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention
Member, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute
The New York Blood Center
New York, NY
A. The first step, if you haven't already, is to find a physician who specializes in HIV/AIDS. This disease and its treatment are so complicated that a general practitioner will not be able to take care of you as well.
Ask what your viral load is (how much virus is in your system) and get your T-cell count, which tells you how well your immune system is doing. These numbers provide a picture of your medical status.
Then identify a support system. Your support system doesn't have to be large; just one or two people you trust and feel comfortable with. In fact, it's a good idea to let them know you're going to be tested and have one of them with you when you get the results.
If you need to start on antiretrovirals, decide if you want to go through your insurance company—which alerts them to your HIV status—or pay for it yourself to protect your privacy. I also recommend you have a support system in place when you start taking the drugs and take some time off from work, because the initial side effects can be harsh.
You also need to learn to incorporate the virus into your life, particularly your sex life. That means practicing safe sex. If you don't know how to use condoms, or how to negotiate their use with your partner, talk to a social worker or counselor who specializes in HIV/AIDS.
Then there's the issue of when to disclose your status. When to tell can be very tricky. Some people might treat you well, but others may start seeing you as a dying person. Ditch the latter—you don't need that type of person around.
--
Karina Danvers
Director of the Connecticut AIDS Education and Training Center
Yale School of Nursing
New Haven, CT
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