Safety and oral sex

[seeker630]

Not sure why this bothered me so much, but it did.

 

In one of the reviews today of Calvin Christopher, the reviewer talks about letting the escort cum in his mouth and says he would swallow if he was sure the guy was STD-free.

 

I am under the impression that the primary risk of infection for virtually all STDs is exposure of mucus membranes (e.g. oral muscosa) or bloodstream (via any breaks in the intact skin or mucosa). Swallowing isn't likely to increase the risk of infection significantly, for most STDs. Or, my real point - NOT swallowing doesn't significantly reduce the chances of catching most STDs. This practice seems to me either misinformed or self-delusional.

 

And to anticipate some responses - I totally agree that it's the right of the individual to determine the level of risk they find acceptable and act accordingly. My concern here is misinformation that leads to faulty risk assessmment - making decisions based on incorrect information or assumptions.

[Guest Tristan]

Right you are, Seeker. It's just amazing how uninformed so many people are about the risks of various sexual activities. Swallowing is probably the least thing to worry about. It's the cuts, sores, and mucous membranes that the reviewer should worry about. For the reviewer mentioned and anyone else interested, go to either of the Web Sites below for the best information IMO.

 

http://www.gay.com/health

http://www.gayhealth.com

 

The first site, in the Health section, has a chart that lists all the risks of oral and anal sex by top and bottom. There are STDs listed here that a surprisingly signficant number of gay men probably don't even know about. For example, there is a virus called HPV. It's the same virus that causes cervical cancer. Many gay men have it and don't even know it, but can pass it on. A medical specialist also informed me that you can get it even using a condom because it can be transmitted from the skin (not covered by a condom) of the infected person to his partner.

 

This is NOT an alarmist post. I just thought it was appropriate to remind everyone where they can get some reliable information and be educated about the risks. After that, it's up to the individual.

[guptasa1]

Yup, swallowing or not swallowing isn't thought to make much difference (though I believe they're still studying this). If someone cums in your mouth, you're at risk for some STD's period. Swallowing might slightly increase risk theoretically, but I don't think it's been proven. It's easier to "feel" safer if you don't swallow I suppose though, if that makes any sense (a mental thing).

 

I think it's fine if someone wants to practice oral sex with exchange of fluids, but I think if so it's important to regularly test just to make sure nothing's picked up (or to treat early if anything is). (And fortunately, HIV is very difficult to transmit in this manner, as are a few other STD's.)