Hi there, thank you for all the work you do, I asked a question a few years ago and the answers were a great relief. I unfortunately read some scary stuff on the internet recently, I try not to but sometimes stuff pops up and I come across it. So my question is, about transmission for Syphilis and gonhorrea for kissing? I read that apparently they can be passed by kissing, i hope that’s not true. I’ve heard before that syphilis can be spread by skin to skin contact, but a sore would have to be present yes? I thought syphilis was spread by contact with sores. I get worried when I see things about skin to skin contact, like holding hands, shaking a hands, massages, those are all safe I assume? Also HPV can be spread through skin on skin contact as well? As in contact with genital warts? I’m sure this sounds weird it’s just that std’s scare me and sometimes my fears get the best of me. I hope you can put my fears to rest like last time. Thank you again! 

Welcome back to the forum. Thank you for your continued confidence in our services.---
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Hi, thanks for the quick reply. First off let me clarify, when I said scary stuff popped up, I meant that yes I was reading articles online, but I wasn’t searching for what I found. I was reading an article about handjobs which was fine and had no worries, then I saw a connecting article about outercourse and safer sex, which contained some of the scary things I read. So I wasn’t intending to find this, believe me I wish I’d never read any of it. The stuff 3 years ago really scared me, I wasn’t intending to find it at all, I guess I need to be more mindful of my reading. Anyways, that’s certainly surprising to hear, that gonorhhea can be spread by kissing, but I guess no worries if it just seems to be among men with men, I always thought kissing was safe, I’ve certainly done a lot of kissing with girls in my day. So I guess I don’t need to be worried about kissing then, I asked about syphilis and kissing, I assume that’s not a worry either? As for the skin on skin, I’m still a bit confused, you said not to worry about casual touching, massages etc. You said overt sexual contact, like the skin rubbing together during sex? Also hpv and syphilis being skin on skin diseases, I thought sores had to be present for syphilis to be spread, is that what you were saying? I just want to make sure I understand. 

All I can do is reassure you that kissing, hand-genital contact, fingering, and genital-genital contact without penetration indeed are safe, uncommonly resulting in any STI. Beyond that, don't overthink it! Yes there are theoretical risks from such contacts, but in my nearly 50 years in the STD business, I don't think I have ever seen such a case. And although syphilis rates are rising in women and straight men, it remains quite rare and you are at very low risk from the kinds of exposures you are asking about. Bottom line:  all you need to be reasonably safe is avoid unprotected true sex, i.e. penile penetration into a partner's vagina, rectum or mouth -- and don't worry about other kinds of contact.---

Well thank you Dr Handsfield, that certainly put my mind at ease, that Australian study is a bit scary but it sound like there’s some refute over it, and I’m straight so it sounds like nothing to worry about. I guess my only other question would be do I need to be concerned about HPV at all? From what I’ve seen it looks like a majority of cases go away on their own, and my Dr has never mentioned it for routine std testing after an encounter. I’ve heard about an Hpv vaccine, is that just for women? Also I’m truly grateful for the work you do and putting our minds at ease. 

Almost all sexually active persons acquire genital HPV by the time they have had 3-5 lifetime sex partners; or if monogamous with partners who are sexually experienced. Some of these infections may be acquired by genital contact without penetration. In other words, getting and having genital HPV is a normal, expected consequence of human sexuality. Happily, the large majority of infections remain asymptomatic and never cause any health problem. So most likely you have had (and may still have) HPV, but likely nothing will come of it.---