There is a misconception that oral sex is completely safe and poses no health risks. The truth is that the risk varies from disease to disease and also depends on circumstances such as the partner’s dental health and more. What are the risks for individual diseases? 1. HIV Oral sex is less risky than vaginal and especially anal, but it is still considered a possible way of infection, especially in some more special circumstances. It is recommended to use condoms even during oral sex. The risk of HIV transmission is greatly increased by having canker sores in the mouth or bleeding gums, which provide access for the virus to the partner’s bloodstream or genitals. The risk is especially great if the ejaculation is intraoral. As a rule, the risk of infection is significant only for the partner performing oral sex. If there has been recent dental work or there are bleeding sores or gums in the mouth, however, the receiving partner is also at risk of infection. 2. Herpes Oral and genital herpes are caused by two different strains, Herpes simplex virus type I and II, respectively, and both can be transmitted to a partner during oral sex. The risk of transmission of the virus is reduced by the use of a condom, but it is not completely eliminated, as it is also possible to penetrate through the skin. 3. Human papilloma virus Its transmission during oral sex is easy. Moreover, oral sex is considered to be a major risk factor for developing tumors in the mouth or throat. As with herpes viruses, condoms reduce the risk of contracting the papilloma virus, but it can also penetrate the skin. 4. Gonorrhea When oral sex is performed on a man, gonorrhea is particularly easily transmitted in both directions – from the active to the passive partner and vice versa. Throat infections are very difficult to treat. It is difficult to infect a man from a woman when the man performs oral sex, because in this case the man’s tongue does not reach the source of the infection – the cervix. 5. Chlamydia During fellatio, it is possible to transmit the virus both from the active to the passive partner and from the passive to the active. It is not entirely certain what the risk is with cunnilingus. It is currently believed to be similar to that of gonorrhea transmission. NEWS_MORE_BOX 6. Syphilis Syphilis is perhaps the most easily transmitted oral sex disease. A significant proportion of morbidity is believed to be due to it. 7. Hepatitis It is not certain what the risk of contracting hepatitis B is. Fortunately, there are effective vaccines against hepatitis A and B. In the absence of relevant contraindications, vaccination is always recommended. Oral sex carries the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases and should always be reported to the doctor when testing for such.