HIV and sex

HIV and sex

HIV can be passed from one person to another during penetrative sexual intercourse, that is, sex where the penis enters the vagina or anus.

Using a condom with water-based lubricant, or a femidom, during vaginal or anal penetrative sex will prevent transmission of HIV and many other sexually transmitted diseases.

HIV and sexual intercourse between men

Seven out of every 10 men with HIV in the UK were infected through sexual intercourse with another man. In the UK, northern Europe and parts of the United States, the most serious impact of the virus has been felt by the gay community. A large number of gay and bisexual men in the UK are still being infected every year: 1,474 tested HIV positive in 1995 and 1,634 in 1996***

HIV and sexual intercourse between men and women

In the UK, fewer than 2 out of every 10 people with HIV were infected through sex with a member of the other sex who had HIV.

In 1995, 852 people were reported to have contracted HIV as a result of sexual intercourse with a person of the opposite sex who had HIV. In 1996 the number of people reported to have been infected in this way was 779***


In Asia and sub-Saharan Africa HIV is transmitted most frequently by sexual intercourse between men and women. In the UK, HIV has had a devastating effect on communities of people from parts of Africa where HIV has taken hold.

HIV and oral sex

There have been about 20 cases world-wide where someone has become infected by giving oral sex to a man with HIV (sucking his penis). Where this has happened, it was probably because infected semen was able to pass through a cut or abrasion in the other partner's mouth or throat.

There are no confirmed reports of someone becoming infected through giving oral sex to a woman with HIV (licking her labia or clitoris).

Someone whose genitals are sucked or licked by a person with HIV will not become infected, because saliva does not an contain sufficient HIV to infect another person.

See the booklet on the Terrence Higgins website Oral Sex: a briefing for workers for a detailed discussion of oral sex and HIV transmission.

HIV and other sexual activities

One sexual activity which may be risky if one partner has HIV is sharing a sex toy: inserting an object into the vagina or anus of more than one person without washing it carefully between users or putting a clean condom on it between users.

HIV cannot be passed from one person to another through other sexual activities, including deep kissing, mutual masturbation, or via fingers inserted into the vagina or anus.