Can you catch an STD like herpes or HIV from kissing someone?
– Richelle*

The simple answer is yes. It's possible to catch herpes just from kissing someone on the mouth. Experts believe the risk of catching HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) from kissing is low. But, if someone has a cut or sore in their mouth, there is a chance of infection during open-mouthed kissing.

The tricky thing about STDs is that you can't always see if someone has one. Even when you don't see signs of an STD, an infected person can pass the infection along.

STDs can be transmitted through all types of sex, including oral sex. Mouth-to-genital contact can spread many STDs, including HIV.

For more information, check out these articles:
About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Birth Control: Condom
Genital Herpes

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: June 2008

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*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.