STDs through Oral Sex?

[Zachary90]

First off, I know that you can get HIV through blood to blood or semen to blood contact. Fist off, is that it? Second, I am now 28 years old and I have recently gotten out of a two year relationship. Before that, I was in a 5 year relationship. So, I have not "been around" in a long time. Frankly, at this point, I am sexually frustrated and I want to hook up with people. I kinda want to get it out of my system and then hopefully be in another relationship.

I remember when I was 20 years old, I would meet people and hook up. Not too many people, mind you, but it was a growing experience, as I saw it. And, the hooking up, was just oral sex. I never had anal sex with anyone that I was not in a committed relationship with. And, the blowjobs I gave or got never involved a condom. Looking back now, I realize that precum was a factor, even though I never swallowed. Now, I am thinking that as I am getting older and thus hooking up with older people, the reality is that the people I am hooking up with have been with more people and- I am assuming- have had more partners, so maybe they are more likely to have an STD? I dunno, I'm just saying. I do know that I was tested one month ago, and I am clean as a whistle. Thankfully.

My question is: Now that I am in a phase where I want to hook up with people and give/get blowjobs, how do I make sure that I am as safe as possible? Again, I won't swallow and of course won't give a blowjob when I have a cut in my mouth. But, what else is done these days? I know some websites talk about having the guy wear a condom before you blow him, but that sounds strange to me. Does that really happen in real life? I know that my health is my #1 priority, but I can't see myself really doing that, to be honest. Also, how do I make sure that there are no teeny, tiny cuts in my mouth? I am assuming that my mouth normally doesn't have cuts since it is never bleeding but what other kinds of things should I be on the lookout for. Someone once told me not to floss. Is that true?

Any feedback is very much appreciated. I am not trying to act like a whore but I really feel like this is an experience that I want to have but never went through it when most of my friends did. I don't want to be foolishly unsafe. So, how likely is it to get an STD from giving a blowjob if you don't swallow? And what STDs can be transmitted that way, other than HIV?

Thanks!

 

[andysayshi]

The likelihood of contracting HIV from oral sex is extremely low, and the basic precautions you mention (no known cuts or ulcers in the mouth, avoid blowing in the mouth) lower that risk to tiny. Personally, I've never slept with anyone who wanted a condom for oral sex. Rinsing the mouth with water or mouthwash soon after oral sex is good practice, even if only for general hygiene purposes.

Other STDs that can be contracted from oral sex include:

Herpes A and B
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Hepatitis A

 

[Zachary90]

Thanks. But, what about swallowing? I am almost positive that I won't do it w/ someone I don't know, but what about it? Is it much more likely that you'll get an STD (if the person is infected) and, of so, why?

 

[Sinister Dexter]

Thanks. But, what about swallowing? I am almost positive that I won't do it w/ someone I don't know, but what about it? Is it much more likely that you'll get an STD (if the person is infected) and, of so, why?

From what I've heard, the rule of thumb is "swallow or spit, just don't let it sit." Swallowing doesn't much increase your chances of contracting anything unless you have some open sores in your esophagus or stomach. You're more likely to have an open sore in your mouth, however, so it's not good to leave semen in your mouth for a long time.

I may be completely wrong there. Someone please correct me if I am.

 

[yankee]

Herpes is also an STD that you can get from penis to mouth, mouth to mouth, mouth to penis, penis to penis, and penis and mouth to any other part of your body

 

[socal21]

..so to really go out there and find a really hot guy you wanna have "fun" without really knowing him is basically a 50/50 chance?

...I've never hooked up,and honestly i'm scared to,just cause everything you hear and i would just rather J/O over risking it. Although it does get tiring most of the time.

 

[Reprobate]

I have been with two guys, the first guy plays it really safe and even though we don't do everything I feel good about what we do.

The other person said all the right things about playing it safe but when it came down to it he let me do what I wanted and was disappointed when I didn't take him up on it. He did however blow me and swallowed, a couple days later I started cleaning equipment at work for a summer shutdown and somehow managed to get some caustic soda on my hands and must not have washed it all off before taking a piss, that night my crotch was on fire and I just new I had Gonorrhea or something and went and got tested. Scared the hell out of me so now I am going to get tested every three months.