This week, we’re diving into a question that might surprise some people: Can you catch a sexually transmitted infection (STI) from oral sex?
Short answer: Yes. You might not realize it, but you can get an STI from oral sex. Any skin-to-skin contact with the genitals is enough to pass on an infection — yes, even through oral sex using the mouth, lips, or tongue.
Globally, about 1 million new STIs are acquired every day, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). That’s why sexually active people must understand which STIs can be transmitted through oral sex, the symptoms to watch out for, and how to get tested.
How Can You Get STIs From Oral Sex?
STIs are transmitted through sexual fluids and skin-to-skin contact. When infected genital tissues come into contact with your mouth or throat, there’s a risk of infection. The reverse is also true—if you have an STI in your mouth or throat, you can pass it to your partner’s genitals during oral sex.
It’s important to note that STIs aren’t just spread through fluids like semen. Any sexual contact carries some risk, even without fluid exchange. And yes, you can have an STI in more than one place at a time—your genitals and throat could both be affected simultaneously.
Which STIs Can Be Spread Through Oral Sex?
Here are some of the most common STIs that can be transmitted via oral sex:
1. Chlamydia
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- What it is: A bacterial STI caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, chlamydia is one of the most frequently reported STIs.
- How it affects you: Chlamydia can infect your throat, genitals, urinary tract, and rectum. Most people with chlamydia in the throat have no symptoms, but it can cause a sore throat.
- Treatment: Chlamydia isn’t a lifelong condition and can be cured with antibiotics.
2. Gonorrhoea
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- What it is: Another bacterial STI, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- How it affects you: Like chlamydia, gonorrhoea can affect the throat, genitals, urinary tract, and rectum. Symptoms in the throat might not appear, but if they do, they typically show up around a week after exposure.
- Treatment: Gonorrhoea can be treated with antibiotics, though drug-resistant strains are rising.
3. Syphilis
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- What it is: A less common bacterial STI caused by Treponema pallidum.
- How it affects you: Syphilis can affect the mouth, lips, genitals, anus, and rectum, and it progresses in stages. Early symptoms might be mild, but untreated syphilis can cause serious health issues, including organ damage and neurological complications.
- Treatment: Syphilis can be cured with antibiotics, but early detection is key to preventing severe complications.
4. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1)
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- What it is: HSV-1 is a viral STI primarily spread through oral contact, but it can also affect the genitals.
- How it affects you: HSV-1 typically causes cold sores on the mouth or lips, but it can also lead to genital herpes.
- Treatment: There’s no cure for HSV-1, but antiviral medications can help manage symptoms and reduce outbreaks.
5. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2)
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- What it is: HSV-2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes, but it can also be spread through oral sex.
- How it affects you: Symptoms are similar to HSV-1, with blisters or sores appearing on the mouth, lips, or tongue.
- Treatment: Like HSV-1, HSV-2 is a lifelong condition, but treatment can ease symptoms.
6. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
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- What it is: HPV is a viral STI that can be transmitted through oral, vaginal, and anal sex.
- How it affects you: HPV can cause warts in the throat or on the genitals, and certain strains are linked to cancers of the head, neck, cervix, and anus.
- Treatment: There’s no cure for HPV, but the body often clears the infection on its own. Vaccination is available to protect against the most dangerous strains.
7. HIV
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- What it is: HIV is a virus that’s mostly transmitted through vaginal and anal sex, but the risk through oral sex is extremely low.
- How it affects you: HIV can be managed with antiretroviral medications, though there’s no cure.
- Prevention: Condoms! Also, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
How to Lower Your Risk
You can reduce your risk of contracting or spreading STIs through oral sex by using barriers like condoms or dental dams. While these methods don’t offer complete protection, they lower the transmission chances. Regular STI testing is also important, especially if you’re sexually active with multiple partners.
How to Get Tested
Here’s what health experts recommend for STI testing:
- Yearly testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea for sexually active women under 25 and men who have sex with men.
- Yearly testing for syphilis for men who have sex with men.
- Yearly testing for all STIs for people with new or multiple partners.
- Yearly testing during pregnancy.
- One-time HIV testing for everyone aged 13 to 64.
You can get tested at your doctor’s office or health clinics, many of which offer free or low-cost testing.
TL;DR
Yes, you can catch STIs from oral sex. The best way to protect yourself is by using barrier methods and getting tested regularly. The sooner you know your status, the sooner you can get treatment.
