Genital piercing is an HIV risk
18 October 2002
Genital piercing may be a risk for HIV transmission during oral sex, according to a study to be presented to next week's conference of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine.
A Sydney study of 75 homosexually active men with recent HIV seroconversion found oral sex was the most likely source of transmission in 5 people. Three of the 5 had pierced genitals.
'This a novel finding,' said Associate Professor Andrew Grulich from Sydney's National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, who was one of the researchers.
It points to a potential HIV risk and, although it's only small numbers, it suggests any future studies of oral sex transmission should include a question about genital piercing.'
Australian safe sex guidelines do not advocate using a condom for oral sex unless mouth or penile lesions are present, because the risk of HIV transmission is believed to be minute.
'However, it could be that an inflamed genital piercing constitutes a lesion, and a potential entry point for HIV to the body,' Professor Grulich said.
The researchers, led by Dr Juliet Richters from Sydney's National Centre in HIV Social Research, concluded that transmission of HIV in the absence of lesions appeared to be extremely rare, but that awareness of the risk associated with breaches in skin integrity was poor.
Last Reviewed: 18 October 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 18/10/02
