Risk Factor Sexual

Sexual practices and associated risks of HIV infection

No-risk practices. These sexual activities cannot transmit HIV:

• Self-masturbation
• Touching, massaging, hugging, caressing
• Social (dry) kissing
• Any type of sexual intercourse between partners who are certain that they are uninfected

Extremely low-risk practices. These activities carry a small (based on case reports) or theoretical risk of HIV transmission between partners of unlike or unknown HIV serostatus:

• French (wet) kissing
• Mutual masturbation (if no cuts on hands, and no ulcers or lesions on genitals of either partner)
• Vaginal sex with a male or female condom (with proper use, including putting latex or polyurethane condom in place before any penetration)
• Fellatio with condom (with latex condom placed on penis before oral contact)
• Cunnilingus with dental dam (with latex dam placed over vaginal area before oral contact)
• Anilingus (rimming) with dental dam (with latex dam placed over anus before oral contact)
• Contact with urine (only with intact skin, avoiding contact with mouth)
• Using one's own sex toys (without sharing of any toys that contact body fluids)

Low-risk practices. Epidemiologic studies have found these sexual activities to have a low probability of HIV transmission between partners of unlike or unknown HIV serostatus:

• Fellatio without condom (Risk of HIV infection to insertive partner is extremely low, risk to receptive partner is increased if ejaculation occurs in mouth.)
• Cunnilingus without a latex dam
• Anilingus without a latex dam
• Anal intercourse with condom (with proper use of condom, including placing latex condom on penis prior to any penetration, and using ample amounts of water-based or nonpetroleum-based lubrication with latex condoms)
• Anal or vaginal penetration with the hand with latex gloves

High-risk practices. These sexual activities carry the highest risk, based on epidemiologic studies of transmitting HIV between partners of unlike or unknown HIV serostatus:

• Vaginal intercourse without a male or female condom
• Anal intercourse without a latex condom (highest risk is to the receptive partner)
• Anal penetration with the hand (fisting) or other rectal trauma without a latex glove, or fisting followed by unprotected anal intercourse

Wasted

Good Sexual Health