During vaginal, oral, or anal sex, the receiving partner has the higher risk of contracting HIV. Men who allow other men to perform anal sex on them have the highest risk. The inserting male partner has a lower risk, but the risk increases if he is uncircumcised. Women who have vaginal or anal sex with infected men are also in danger. The risk decreases with the use of condoms.

HIV can be transmitted through small sores in the mouth or bleeding gums during oral sex.