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Anal and vaginal sex
Unprotected anal and vaginal sex are the types of sex which carry the greatest risk of HIV transmission. Oral sex is considered in detail in a section below.
The chances of you passing on HIV during unprotected anal or vaginal sex are greatest if you are the active, or insertive, partner during sex. The risk is particularly high if you have a high viral load or an untreated STI, or if you ejaculate inside your partner. Similarly, if an HIV-negative person has an untreated STI, their chances of contracting HIV from you during unprotected sex are increased.
If you are HIV-positive and are the passive, or receptive, partner during insertive sex, the risk of you passing on HIV is reduced, but is still present, especially if you have an untreated STI.
Unprotected vaginal sex also carries the risk of pregnancy. Emergency contraception is available from clinics and from pharmacies without prescription.