Saturday 14 May 2011

Can You Get an STD from Kissing

So, you met this handsome guy last week and are preparing to go on a date with him this weekend? You are really attracted to him and think that the date could end up in getting more intimate. Now the question on your mind is that you do not really know him that well, so is it safe to kiss him? Can you get an STD from kissing? Well, there are lot of teens (and adults) like you who are in this dilemma. But it is always good to know what you can and what you can not do on a date, especially if it's with someone whose past you do not know, so that your sexual health is not compromised.

Can You Get an STD from Kissing - The Answer

Before answering your query, "Is it possible to get an STD from kissing?", let's know what exactly are STDs. The full form of STD is sexually transmitted diseases. These diseases can be passed on from one person to another when they indulge in sex - vaginal, anal as well as oral. genital herpes, HIV, chlamydia, genital warts, syphilis and gonorrhea are some of the most wide-spread STDs. You may read more on list of STDs.

Now, coming back to your query, "Can you get an STD from kissing on the lips?", well sorry to disappoint you, though there are very slim chances of getting an STD through mouth-to-mouth kiss, but there have been incidences when people have contracted an STD through this! Shocking isn't it? Here's how. Suppose that the person whom you are kissing has an STD. Now most of the oral STD symptoms are unrecognizable so you would not be sure that he has STD or no. If such a person has developed fever blisters or sores on his mouth and you end up kissing him, you too can get the infection! Herpes is one STD, among many others which you can contract this way.

A second scenario is that the person who has HIV/AIDS, has a cut on his lips or tongue, which is bleeding. The person whom he kisses has a cut too or develops a cut while kissing due to its intensity. When there is exchange of infected blood, the HIV infection can be passed through mouth to mouth kissing. Hepatitis B and C can be passed on, the same way too. However, these are again rare cases, and chances of getting an STD from kissing this way are very bleak, though let me warn you, such cases do occur. So, beware!

Another question that many people have on their mind is, "Can you get HIV or STDs from kissing on the genital area?". Mouth to genital kissing during oral sex has very high chances of passing on the infection from one person to another, especially if the woman is menstruating. According to researches in the field, if human saliva passes onto the genital area, there is a possibility of the infection spreading from person to person. Genital warts of the mouth, gonorrhea of the throat, HIV, Herpes, Crabs, Syphilis, Scabies are some of the STD's that can pass from person to person due to mouth to genital kissing.

I hope the above information settles your query, "can you get an STD from kissing?". As kissing strangers is not free of risk, you should avoid indulging in it on a date with unknown people. Also, for all those people who have indulged in any kind of sexual activity in the past, it is recommended that they get STD testing done so that they do not pass on the infection to others, just in case they have one. Using condoms while having sex, being in a monogamous relationship and remaining faithful to one's partner are some of the ways to avoid getting an STD.

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