Lot's of information on this subject. Most of the studies seem to deal with HIV. My question is - is it possible for HPV (genital warts) to be transmitted by oral genital contact? All my research indicates that the possibility is there, however it is slight. Anyone with experience or medical background willing to weigh in on this?

This request  always cracks me up.  In spite of all the documented medical evidence that is online, hobbyists are desperate for someone to tell them that a BBBJ is safe.

Unfortunately, the research you have found doesn't lie.

it is safer than driving in a car!  

You obviously have your personal prejudice about this, Clone, judging by your posts on the subject.  All I can say is that life is full of risks, and from what I know from a lady friend of mine who has herpes, it is only transmittable when she has active sores.

If people are worried about it, hobbyist or provider, insist on CBJ.  End of story.

But my prejudice isn't against the activity.  It's against being uninformed.

As I have said, I am not speaking in favor of, or against, any activities.  I just don't want anyone to get anything, and I think people can take the best care of themselves by being aware or real risk levels, rather than believing false ones.

Nobody reading this thinks much of what we are doing is safe.   Legal, family, reputation, financial, and health problems can arise from our activities.  Since the people here are involved in the activity,  we are willing to accept the level of risk for what we are getting.    

CBJs probably marginally decrease the levels of risk.  Most of the people here are indifferent to the probable marginal improvement.    CBJs are never completely safe for the man since they depend on a barrier that could be breached and the safety depends on their being used correctly, there can be manufacturing and quality problems, ....    

Here are some other things that have health risks in the hobby.  Not changing condoms after a CBJ risks spreading existing STDs for the provider.  Not switching condoms while doing doubles risks spreading STDs.  Oral Sex and Kissing risks getting and spreading STDs.   Each of us has to decide at what point we become willing to accept the risk.

The correct use of condoms WILL reduce the risk of contracting many STDs. Why anyone would not use a condom when visiting a provider is beyond me. If for no other reason, you have no idea who was just there before you.

Have to agree with you clone...

I personally do not care what others choose to do, but it drives me crazy when people keep on saying that bbbj's and uncovered daty are not very risky... warts, herpes and chlamadia are all transmitted orally, it does not matter if it is bbbj till completion etc...the risk is there, period.

Fine you could get into an car accident etc...but why risk std's and passing it on to your SO etc.. because it simply feels better or she is  low volume or very selective etc...we are all equally at risk- clients or providers.

A past TER poll asked how many people got tested for std's on a regular basis, it was a very minute percentage....

Agree with later poster that by participating in uncovered BJs one must assume a certain amount of risk. But there certainly is a huge lack of knowledge out there -- primarily because there really has not been a lot written about this. (And knowledge is far from complete).  
- HPV is not really a risk.  The prevalence of genital HPV is astoundingly high, but there really isn't much risk of acquiring genital HPV from BJ (different HPV "types" infect genital area). (Tantamount to worrying about HPV from a handjob).
- The risk of acquiring chlamydia or gonorrhea from a provider is probably quite low -- pharyngeal infection does occur, but is rather unusual, and it is not clear just how transmissible such infections are.
- syphilis is real concern. Oral (primary) lesions are extremely contagious. These lesions may not be readily detected and may not be noticed by either party.  
- Herpes is another considerable risk; but two things: oral shedding of herpes would typically be associated with HSV-1 (it tends to be associated with chronis oral infection -- i.e. cold sores). But HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but genital infection with HSV-1 does not tend to recur (as HSV-2 does). In addition, there is a good chance that you older hobbyists may have already been infected with HSV-1, since seroprevalence increases throughout life. Thus you would be "immune."  
(I'm physician, who has had considerable research experience addressing STD epidemiology).

No one really answered the question re HPV - Of course there are risks, I think everyone know that. I was looking for some specific advice regarding genital warts. All of my research seems to center around HIV and some of the other STS"s - HPV just gets a very brief mention without any detailed information.
Does anyone have experience or medical knowledge they would be willing to share?

Well said Harry.

now THAT is a good concise post!

Why are you asking this, when you already know the answer?

Best,
Tamara

I think what people are looking for, is someone to quantify their risk. Be able to say, OK... if you have an uncovered BBBJ there is a 1 in XXXX chance that you will get the following....

Well, it just doesn't work that way.

The best we can do is say the risk is lower than X... or higher than X... Or it is unlikely.

It is very unlikely that today, you will get bombed while you are at work and die... but it could happen.

If the existence of risk, however likely or un, is enough to make someone curl up into a little ball, they might as well live in a bubble and just give up already. We all have to accept that life involves risks... you cannot make the risks go away. You can minimize them and choose which you accept, and that is all!

Best,
Tamara

That everything has to be covered for you, or just that you know and understand the risks and have chosen what you are willing to accept???

Hugs*
Tamara

I guess, as with everything else, that depends.

There are lots of different factors that influence risk.  If I was seeing someone whom I felt was a higher risk (someone who seemed careless in her protection, or who provided BBFS, according to reviews) then I would want everything covered.

If I was seeing someone who seemed more health conscious I would factor that in to the whole risk picture.  

And different bb activities have different risks as you pointed out.  In general, FS is riskier than performing oral which is riskier than receiving oral.

So, personally, I would not say no to BBBJ.  I, of course, would say no to BBFS.  As for DATY, it's something that I have never done except at home.  Never tried it covered at all with anyone.  It's a question I have been going over in my head for the past week.    I guess I'll see when I am in the situation.

herpes is at it's highest transmission rate 3 days prior to an outbreak (soars)

MC