Can You Get an STD from Kissing?
Yes, you can contract certain STDs from kissing, though the risk is lower than sexual contact. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which causes oral herpes, transmits most easily through kissing and affects about 67% of people under 50 worldwide according to the WHO. Syphilis can spread through kissing if oral sores are present, and hepatitis B may transmit through saliva in rare cases. The risk increases significantly with open-mouth kissing when cuts or sores are present in the mouth. Other STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV have minimal transmission risk through kissing alone, as they require direct contact with infected genital fluids or blood.
Related Questions
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