Oral sex and HIV transmission

Evidence for the occurrence of HIV transmission through oral sex is becoming clearer with the shift away from higher risk sexual behaviours. The importance of acknowledging the small risk that has been identified was recognized in the recent review by Rothenberg et al., a valuable addition to the literature in an area where there is still considerable controversy. In particular, their review highlights the fact that the risk is a function of both the likelihood of transmission in each event, and of the frequency with which the events occur. From the British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles we know that oral sex is common in both homosexual and heterosexual partnerships. Furthermore, a number of studies have shown that, in homosexual men, oral sex is often unprotected.