There is an EXTRA HIGH risk of contracting an STI when exposed to blood during any form of sexual intercourse.

Having direct exposure to someone else’s wounds, genital sores, or general abrasions while having sex is one of the highest risks one can put themselves at for developing an STI. STI’s are transmitted through bacteria and/or viruses traveling through the mucosal membrane– which is found throughout the genital tract– and into the blood stream. 

High Risk

Any time an individual has sex– no matter the form– they’re at risk for developing an STI. Because of the invasiveness that comes with anal sex, the risk for developing an STI is slightly higher than that of vaginal sex due to the risk of tearing being higher which would leave the mucosal membrane more susceptible to bacteria or viruses entering into the compromised blood vessel. Vaginal sex still has a high risk of developing an STI, however, due to the genital tract having a higher surface area.

Medium Risk

The risk of rubbing bare genitalia together varies based bodily fluids present. However, because semen and other bodily fluids have a possibility to be present and spread there is still a risk to be aware of. Depending on the STI, though, not all bacteria is able to survive outside of the body for even a moment, so the overall risk is slightly unknown.

Medium Risk

While not two genital regions are involved in this action, there are still STIs in which can develop outside of the genital region. Oral herpes, various strains of HPV, and even gonorrhea can be transmitted via the oral cavity. Similar to the genital tract, the oral cavity is surrounded by a mucosal membrane which can become compromised and then evaded by STI pathogens.

Low Risk

Manual sex has an extremely low risk factor of developing an STI. This is because there is no direct contact of bodily fluids amongst all involved partners. It is important to note, though, that infections are still possible, however, more likely a UTI which is not classified as an STI.

Low Risk

STI bacteria and viruses typically cannot survive outside of the body for long periods of time, so the ability for STI’s to be passed via this mechanism are extremely low. However, if the sex toys are not properly stored and kept sanitized, there is a high risk for developing a UTI.

Low Risk

While saliva is considered a bodily fluid, it is filled with many protective barriers that make the passage of STIs extremely rare in almost all instances. The only STI capable of being passed via kissing is oral herpes, however, herpes is one of the most treatable STIs.