# Can you get HIV from having a bodily fluid touch a bedsheet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 22, 2011, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-hiv-from-having-a-bodily-fluid-touch-a-bedsheet/575575 "2011-03-22T05:21:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-hiv-from-having-a-bodily-fluid-touch-a-bedsheet/575575/41 "2011-03-25T16:23:10Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Really? So you can’t get HIV from oral? I think it’s theoretically possible if you have some open sore in your mouth and the semen (or menstrual blood) gets splashed right onto the sore. But really, there’s a much greater chance of contracting something else. If this guy is worried about mystery sores, he needs to see a doctor. Probably a urologist would be the best bet if he thinks he has a STD and especially if the sores are in the genital/groin area. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-hiv-from-having-a-bodily-fluid-touch-a-bedsheet/575575/42 "2011-03-25T16:24:18Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Really? So you can’t get HIV from oral? It’s possible, but not as likely as if you have anal or vaginal sex. In that case, though, the HIV still wouldn’t be in the saliva. As the CDC describes: > [@](#): > > 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, though it is a less common mode of transmission than other sexual behaviors (anal and vaginal 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. > > ``` In fact, this website in general is a good resource for your questions about HIV transmission: [http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/transmission.htm](http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/transmission.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-hiv-from-having-a-bodily-fluid-touch-a-bedsheet/575575/43 "2011-03-25T16:30:32Z")
> [@ineedhelp](#): > > It came out but it also stayed there for a while (since I didn’t notice until I had already awoken). If it stayed on the tip of the urethra for a while, there’s still no chance for upward suction? > > This is assuming the bedsheet even had HIV on them, right? > I was given the bedsheets and obviously touched them as soon as they were handed off. I don’t recall when I fell asleep but assuming worst case scenario that I fell asleep within minutes and immediately had a seminal discharge, there’s still no chance for HIV infection? No, there’s not a chance. Like somebody else said, if you’re staying in unsanitary conditions, there are other conditions to worry about, like bedbugs or staph, but you’re not going to get HIV. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-hiv-from-having-a-bodily-fluid-touch-a-bedsheet/575575/44 "2011-03-25T18:21:14Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > I think it’s theoretically possible if you have some open sore in your mouth and the semen (or menstrual blood) gets splashed right onto the sore. But really, there’s a much greater chance of contracting something else. Thanks to you and **Captain Amazing**. It seems like the risk is pretty low, but it might not be such a great idea right after flossing. ---
**Author:** ![microcontrolled](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@microcontrolled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/microcontrolled)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-hiv-from-having-a-bodily-fluid-touch-a-bedsheet/575575/45 "2011-03-26T07:09:02Z")
[QUOTE=The CDC] 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**. [/QUOTE] I find it surprising that the CDC is recommending plastic wrap as a disease prevention measure. What’s next? Socks? But I guess it must have been proven effective… ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-hiv-from-having-a-bodily-fluid-touch-a-bedsheet/575575/46 "2011-03-26T13:34:03Z")
> [@microcontrolled](#): > > I find it surprising that the CDC is recommending plastic wrap as a disease prevention measure. What’s next? Socks? > > But I guess it must have been proven effective… No, it has not. It has not been studied or approved by the FDA for use in preventing the spread of HIV - despite the viral (heh) claims of one Dr. Amy (who spells it dental “damn,” by the way) which seem to have infected other websites. I’m also very surprised to see the CDC recommending it on that page, since on [another](http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/oralsex.htm), they post: > [@](#): > > At least one scientific article has suggested that plastic food wrap may be used as a barrier to protect against herpes simplex virus during oral-vaginal or oral-anal sex. However, there are no data regarding the effectiveness of plastic food wrap in decreasing transmission of HIV and other STDs in this manner and it is not manufactured or approved by the FDA for this purpose. That said, if I didn’t have a dental dam and I wanted to use a barrier, I’d use plastic wrap, figuring it’s better than nothing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-get-hiv-from-having-a-bodily-fluid-touch-a-bedsheet/575575.md?page=2)