Guidelines on Risk Factors for HIV Transmission Are Conflicting

According to current guidelines, exposing mucous membrane to blood and body fluids of HIV infected people is risk of transmission. About 30% - 80% of HIV infected people have at least one oral manifestation. The most frequently occurring oral manifestations (pseudomembranous candidiasis, linear gingival erythema, etc.) give rise to bleeding either spontaneously or after stimulation, and strenuous stirring during oral sex and deep-mouth kissing increase risk of bleeding from oral manifestations, exposing oral and genital mucous membrane of partners to the blood. However, current guidelines assert that there’s little to no risk of getting HIV from oral sex and deep-mouth kissing. These guidelines are conflict with each other, suggesting potential problems with current prevention strategies which are based on the guidelines. After discussing existing data on animals, lesbians, young peoples, and occupational exposures, this paper suggests oral sex and deep-mouth kissing are risk factors when one partner has HIV-associated oral bleeding manifestations, and the number of infections associated with oral sex and deep-mouth kissing is significant. Current guidelines on HIV risk factors should be reevaluated urgently, and new studies should be undertaken with an open mind to explore risk factors.