text: hiv can be through oral sex?   being masturbated by an hiv infected person or masturbating an hiv infected person does not normally carry any risk of hiv transmission. the exception is in case the semen of an infected person is used as a lubricant for masturbation of a non-infected person or if the non-infected person has a open cut or wound on the hand and this cut comes in contact with the semen of an infected person. the risk of hiv transmission from oral sex is not as high as other forms of unprotected penetrative sex, but we now know that hiv can be transmitted by this route. the risk is greater if the infected person ejaculates in the mouth of his partner. saliva too can be infective and the mouth often has cuts and bleeding points from gums increasing the risk of hiv transmission. it is best to avoid all penetrative sex except with a mutually faithful and regular partner or to always use a condom for oral sex. these general comments also apply in the case of sex between man and woman.