Q: Can I get HIV from performing oral sex?

A: Yes, it is possible for you to become infected with HIV through performing oral sex, but it is considered low to medium risk. 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. Blood, cum, pre-cum, and vaginal fluid all may contain the virus. Cells in the mucous lining of the mouth may carry HIV into the lymph nodes or the bloodstream.
The risk increases:

If you have cuts or sores around or in your mouth or throat,
If your partner ejaculates in your mouth, or
If your partner has another sexually transmitted disease (STD).
If you choose to have oral sex, and your partner is male:
Use a latex condom on the cock; or
If you or your partner is allergic to latex, use a plastic (polyurethane) condom.
If you aren't going to use a condom, the following are ways to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
Don't brush or floss your teeth for at least an hour before giving head. You can use a mouthwash, breath mint, or gum instead. This will keep the number of tears and cuts in your mouth to a minimum.
Try not to eat abrasive foods (like tortilla chips, French bread, pretzels, etc.) for the same reasons.
In general, it's also a good idea to maintain excellent oral hygiene to prevent the possibility of easy tears/cuts in the mouth.
Avoid getting cum in your mouth; cum contains active HIV. If you do get cum in your mouth, as the saying goes: wallow or spit, just don't let it sit. The longer cum is in your mouth, the more potential for HIV to find an entry point into your body.
Avoid deep throating since this can cause abrasions in the throat. Pre-cum/cum can come into contact with these abrasions, creating an effective entry point for HIV infection.
If you choose to have oral sex, and your partner is female:
Use a latex barrier (such as a dental dam or a cut-open condom that makes a square) between your mouth and the vagina. Plastic food wrap also can be used as a barrier. Using a barrier will reduce the risk of blood or vaginal fluids entering your mouth.
Research has shown the effectiveness of latex condoms used on the cock to prevent the transmission of HIV. Condoms are not risk-free, but they greatly reduce your risk of becoming HIV-infected if your partner has the virus.