Is there any risk of catching STDs or getting HIV?
There is a very small risk of acquiring infection through petting, but it is much less than with full sex. Statistically, the biggest is of catching herpes, through being given oral sex by someone who has a ‘cold sore ‘ on their lips. There is also some risk of catching gonorrhoea (‘clap’) through oral love play. The danger of catching HIV is believed to be low, but is not zero. There has been at least one case in the USA in which oral petting led to the transfer of the HIV virus. Under no circumstances should you pet with a person who is HIV-positive unless both of you have been given expert counselling about the risks. For a full discussion of the risks of oral sex please see the complete article on this subject.
