HIV: Risks of Sexual Contact

Topic Overview

During vaginal, oral, or anal sex, the receiving partner has the higher risk of getting infected with 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 also have a risk of getting HIV. The risk decreases with the use of condoms.

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

Related Information

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerPeter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine
Last RevisedApril 5, 2012
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: April 5, 2012
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine

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