You can become infected with an STI if you are exposed the bacteria or virus that causes it.
- Syphilis – is spread through direct contact with a syphilis sore on a penis or inside a mouth or anus or through an infected bodily fluid.
- Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia – are spread after exposure to their bacteria in the urethra of a penis, a mouth, or an anus.
- Herpes – is spread through direct contact with the blister or sore on a penis, mouth, or anus. The blister fluid is very infectious.
- Warts – require direct contact with the virus that causes warts, even if no warts are present on the skin.
- HEP A, B, C – after exposure to the virus through faeces (HEP A), blood (HEP B & C), or other fluids like saliva, urine, or semen (HEP B).
Most STIs can be transmitted through many kinds of sexual activities including:
- Both receiving and giving oral sex
- Licking someone’s anus or having your anus licked
- Through giving or receiving anal sex
- By Rubbing penises together
- Through Sharing sex toys
These sexual acts generally expose you directly to the bacteria or virus that produces the STI.
Remember
- Unlike HIV, other STIs do not always require you to be exposed to bodily fluids like semen or blood.
- You can't always see STIs because some do not produce symptoms and other produce sores in the mouth or anus where you can not see them.
