Can you get an STD from kissing?

Author: Aunt Vadge
Qualified Naturopath | BHSc(N)

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Dear Aunt Vadge,

Is it possible to get an STD from kissing?

Sincerely,
Confused
Age: 39
Country: USA

Dear Confused,

This one is a little tricky, because microbes have lots of different routes into our bodies, and sexually transmitted infections have to meet specific criteria to be classed as an STI. Kissing passes on all sorts of germs, but only a couple can then transfer to the genitals, or infect the mouth or throat.

Generally the answer is no – but it’s certainly not impossible.

Gonorrhoea can infect the throat, and herpes simplex 1 and 2 can affect both the mouth and the genitals. Oral herpes (HSV-1) can be passed on by kissing, though it only occasionally shows up on the genitals.

There’s also a niche route: if you put your mouth on someone’s mouth very soon after they’ve had a recently infected genital in there (including your own), you could in theory move an infection around.

Kissing is such a rare way to pass STIs that we wouldn’t treat it as a real risk, beyond the sensible step of not kissing someone with an active mouth or throat infection.

So while it’s possible, it’s highly unlikely. Keep taking your usual precautions with sex and oral sex, but otherwise feel free to kiss your life away with wild abandon.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge

This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice.