Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk Awareness Chart
This chart assesses the risk for the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when condoms or barriers are not used. Using condoms for anal and vaginal sex and condoms and dental dams for oral sex reduce but do not completely eliminate the risk of contracting an STI.
*Note: Theoretical risk means that in theory a person could contract a given STI through a particular activity but no one has been reported as contracting the STI through that activity. Theoretical risk activities are considered low risk.
Chart Key:
- High Risk = HR
- Some Risk = SR
- Theoretical Risk* = TR
- No Risk = NR
*Note: Theoretical risk means that in theory a person could contract a given STI through a particular activity but no one has been reported as contracting the STI through that activity. Theoretical risk activities are considered low risk.
|
STI |
Anal Sex |
Vaginal Sex |
Giving Oral Sex |
Getting Oral Sex |
Deep (French) Kissing |
Mutual Masturbation (without exchanging body fluids) |
Hugging, dry kissing, massage, self masturbation |
|
HIV/AIDS |
HR |
HR |
SR (but low) |
TR |
TR |
NR |
NR |
|
Chlamydia |
SR |
HR |
SR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
NR |
|
Genital warts |
HR |
HR |
SR (but low) |
SR (but low) |
|
SR |
NR |
|
Herpes |
HR |
HR |
HR |
HR |
SR |
SR |
NR (except for kissing if you come into contact with infected area) |
|
Gonorrhea |
HR |
HR |
HR |
SR |
SR |
NR |
NR |
|
Syphilis |
HR |
HR |
HR |
SR |
SR |
NR |
NR |
|
Hepatitis B |
HR |
HR |
HR |
HR |
SR |
NR |
NR |
|
Vaginitis (yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis |
N/A |
HR |
N/A |
NR |
N/A |
NR |
NR |
|
Mucopurulent cervicitis (refers to women only) |
N/A |
HR |
N/A |
NR |
N/A |
NR |
NR |
|
Non-Gonococcal Urethritis (refers to men only) |
HR |
HR |
N/A |
NR |
N/A |
NR |
NR |
|
Lice and Scabies |
HR |
HR |
SR |
SR |
NR |
SR |
NR (Except for massage) |
Updated July 21, 2008


Safer Sex Methods