How safe is giving oral without a condom?

[Guest]

[QUOTE= (Taz @ Jan. 02 2006,13:11)]

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3. Many people with AIDS do not have HIV.

It's important not to confuse imperfect measurement tools with the results of their tests.  For nearly 15 years, the HIV test that was designed by Robert Gallo was yielding false negatives of around 15% and false positives of around 5-10%.  Thus there were a lot of people that were HIV+ who tested negative (and also some HIV- that tested +, sometimes ending in their suicide).  Gallo has been discredited (he though AIDS was a type of cancer, and fabricated evidence to support this ... this is why his test didn't work well), and newer, better tests are available.  But there are still false negatives and positives, and people may draw the wrong conclusions from these mistakes.

I think it is important to keep in mind that people make mistakes and that mistakes do not imply an intention to deceive. Dr. Gallo is very highly regarded.

The particular episode you refer to began after a Chicago journalist wrote a juicy article that led a very political senator to demand an investigation.

As we have seen with politicians, Kenneth Starr, etc, these investigations can be hijacked by opportunists who want to discredit another person, and this is true for prominent investigations of scientists receiving federal research money as well. It's the "Tall Poppy Syndrome."

The accusations against Dr. Gallo were not as you indicate. Dr. Gallo was alleged to have committed misconduct by using viruses copied from those supplied by the French Pasteur Institute.

In point of fact, Dr. Gallo was one of the biggests proponents of a viral theory of AIDs, not that AIDs was cancer.

The "HIV test" is one of many that have been used since the 1980's. As you say, it is important not to confuse imperfect measurement tools with the results of their tests.

The "HIV test" that many people refer to is the western blot. There is also the ELISA that has been used since the 1980's. Since no test is 100%, most clinicians would perform both tests (and currently they also do a third, PCR, to measure viral load), to make every effort to reduce the possibility of a false positive (telling a true negative patient that they had tested positive).

Responsible clinicians will confirm a result with another test prior to giving patients results.

If an individual doctor did not do this, and a patient who was actually disease free was told their test was positive, then committed suicide, this is not a stain on Dr. Gallo.

The fact is that western blots and ELISAs, which are still in use for diagnosis HIV as well as for conditions other than HIV, are not perfect tests.

Dr. Gallo is one of the most highly respected scientists in the world, with numerous discoveries that have benefitted humankind.

I don't think its fair for a bunch of laymen to trash his reputation here in this venue.

[relpax]

part of the reason people get confused about hiv testing is they don't understand the difference between a screening test and a diagnostic test meant to establish the final diagnosis. a screening test has a very high sensitivity (ie as close to 100 percent of the people with a disease x are detected with a particular test. as such this test is used to rule people out early who don't need to get additional tests. one way to remember this is sn(sensitivity)-out). Fortunately or unfortunately as the case may be.....there is a bit of a yin and yang between specificity (and sensitivity. as one goes up often the other goes down. once a possibility of disease is established more definitive tests ie highly specific tests (if preson has a positive result they are as close to 100 percent have the disease) are done to confirm a diagnosis. this is rampant in medical practice. sorry if this is a little confusing. i am trying to explain a bunch of key concepts while watching the football game, reading physics, and cooking food. not very good at multi tasking. :P

[Guest]

Superstars?Many!!!But Chompoo???Pullleeease!

[Guest]

Hello! I found this article.. the original is posted at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/faq/faq19.htm

Can I get HIV from oral sex?
Yes, it is possible for either partner to become infected with HIV through performing or receiving oral sex. There have been a few cases of HIV transmission from performing oral sex on a person infected with HIV. While no one knows exactly what the degree of risk is, evidence suggests that the risk is less than that of unprotected anal or vaginal sex.

If the person performing oral sex has HIV, blood from their mouth may enter the body of the person receiving oral sex through

the lining of the urethra (the opening at the tip of the penis);
the lining of the vagina or cervix;
the lining of the anus; or
directly into the body through small cuts or open sores.
If the person receiving oral sex has HIV, their blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), or vaginal fluid may contain the virus. Cells lining the mouth of the person performing oral sex may allow HIV to enter their body.

The risk of HIV transmission increases

if the person performing oral sex has cuts or sores around or in their mouth or throat;
if the person receiving oral sex ejaculates in the mouth of the person performing oral sex; or
if the person receiving oral sex has another sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Not having (abstaining from) sex is the most effective way to avoid HIV.

If you choose to perform oral sex, and your partner is male,

use a latex condom on the penis; or
if you or your partner is allergic to latex, plastic (polyurethane) condoms can be used.
Studies have shown that latex condoms are very effective, though not perfect, in preventing HIV transmission when used correctly and consistently. If either partner is allergic to latex, plastic (polyurethane) condoms for either the male or female can be used. For more information about latex condoms, see "Male Latex Condoms and Sexually Transmitted Diseases."

If you choose to have oral sex, and your partner is female,

use a latex barrier (such as a natural rubber latex sheet, a dental dam or a cut-open condom that makes a square) between your mouth and the vagina. A latex barrier such as a dental dam reduces the risk of blood or vaginal fluids entering your mouth. Plastic food wrap also can be used as a barrier.
If you choose to perform oral sex with either a male or female partner and this sex includes oral contact with your partners anus (analingus or rimming),

use a latex barrier (such as a natural rubber latex sheet, a dental dam or a cut-open condom that makes a square) between your mouth and the anus. Plastic food wrap also can be used as a barrier.
If you choose to share sex toys with your partner, such as dildos or vibrators,

each partner should use a new condom on the sex toy; and
be sure to clean sex toys between each use.
If you would like more information or have personal concerns, call CDC-INFO 24 Hours/Day at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636), 1-888-232-6348 (TTY), in English, en Español.