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. 2010 Jan-Apr;2(1):57–62. doi: 10.4103/0974-777X.59252

Table 1.

Oral sex: Venereal diseases and infections

Infections/Diseases Clinical picture and profile Frequent transmission mode
Human immunodeficiency virus
  • Life threatening sexual transmitting disease.

  • Hamper immune system especially CD4 cells.

  • Secondary and super infection proceeds.

  • No specific cure though HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) has some significant effects.

Cunnilingus, fellatio and analingus
Gonorrhea
  • Sexual transmitted disease.

  • Sore throat.

  • Burning sensation and discharge from penis.

  • In extreme cases cause infertility and tubal pungency in women.

  • Increases HIV load.

  • Treatment with antibiotics under proper medical visualization.

Fellatio
Syphilis
  • Sexual transmitted disease.

  • Easily passed through contact with open sores (commonly called chancres) on the penis, anus, or mouth (White spots in mouth)

  • Sores, warts and rashes of syphilis infection are painless

  • Left untreated syphilis can eventually cause brain damage, heart disease, blindness and death.

  • Open syphilis sores or chancres provide an easy entry and exit for HIV and can increase viral load

  • Antibiotic coverage and periodic medical check ups will be the line of treatment

Analingus, cunnilingus and fellatio
Chlamydia
  • STD caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria and affects women more than men.

  • Common features include pain while urinating, smelly vaginal or penile discharge, spotting after intercourse, can be found in the throat but less commonly than gonorrhea.

  • In extreme cases cause severe damage to women reproductive system, including permanent infertility

  • Increases HIV viral load.

  • Can be cured by proper medical treatment.

Fellatio, cunnilingus and analingus
Herpes
  • An STD caused by herpes simplex virus is the commonest cause of genital ulceration. There are two types of the virus; Type 1 affects mainly the lip causing cold sores and Type 2 causes blisters on the genitals.

  • Sores and blisters (usually on the lips, genitals, or anus) are very infectious and painful.

  • Research suggests that having genital herpes can more than double your risk for HIV infection.

  • Some individuals with herpes usually have periodic outbreaks throughout their lives.

  • Treatment can reduce the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks but there is no cure.

Fellatio, cunnilingus and analingus
Human papilloma virus (Genital warts)
  • HPV infection and genital warts are the most common STDs.

  • Warts usually appear on the penis or in the anus but may also occur in or around the mouth or lips. Genital warts may be more common and; harder to treat.

  • Spread through skin-to-skin contact, contact with warts or HPV.

  • While most strains of HPV only cause warts, some strains may cause oral or throat cancers.

  • Different cures are available but the virus stays in the body.

All modes of oral sex
Non specific urethritis
  • NSU can cause burning when urinating and/or discharge from the penis.

  • Infections of the throat can cause a sore throat.

  • NSU may amplify viral load in semen making it easier to spread HIV.

  • Manageable with antibiotics and hospitalization.

Fellatio, cunnilingus
Hepatitis A and E
  • Both these diseases can be spread through oral sex. Hepatitis A and E both are contagious viral infections of the liver.

  • Common symptoms of hepatitis are fever, diarrhea

  • Loss of appetite, dark urine, vomiting, jaundice and pain in the abdomen.

  • Vaccination is available for prevention

Analingus
Hepatitis B
  • It is most commonly transmitted by inoculation of infected blood, virus particles are found in semen, stool and saliva, as well as blood. There is clear evidence that it can be transmitted through vaginal and anal intercourse, but it is unproven whether it can be transmitted through oral sex.

  • Hepatitis B can cause weakness, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), and enlarged liver.

  • Vaccination is available for prevention

Fellatio, cunnilingus and analingus
Bowel organisms and worms
  • The bowel organisms Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter can all be transmitted.

  • Abdominal pain and diarrhea

  • Treated well after microbiological stool examination

Analingus
Intestinal parasites
  • These include Amoeba, Giardia and Cryptosporidia.

  • Symptoms include Unknown diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, and nausea.

  • Treated well after microbiological stool examination

Analingus