What infections can I catch through oral sex?

Oral sex is stimulating your partners genitals using your mouth and tongue. Unfortunately, you can contract sexual transmitted infections through oral sex, and it is one of the most common ways that STIs are passed on.

Common STIs caught through oral sex

There are a few STIs that are commonly caught through oral sex.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacteria. Typical symptoms of this STI are thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis; peeing pain; and in women, bleeding between periods.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause small blisters or open sores around genitalia. It can also cause tingling, burning or itching around your genitals and pain whilst your peeing.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can cause small sores or ulcers around the genitals. It can also cause small skin growths, red rashes, white patches and tiredness.

If you think that you have any of these symptoms then it is very important that you go to your GP or a sexual health clinic as soon as possible.

Other infections passed through oral sex

There are also some less common and frequently passed on STIs, but still possible non-the-less. These include:

• chlamydia
• HIV
• hep A, B, and C
• genital warts
• pubic lice

Preventing STIs

In order to prevent STIs from spreading through oral sex you need to make sure that you or your partner wears a condom. You can also use a dental dam to cover the anus or female genitals.