Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) most often linked to genital contact. But as people have become more aware of how STIs spread, the question, “Can you get gonorrhea from sharing drinks?” has come up more often.
Many people think of gonorrhea as solely a genital infection, but is it possible to contract it through saliva by, say, sharing a drink with someone who has the infection? The answer is a little complicated. Here’s what we know about the chances of transmission and what factors might play a role.
Understanding Gonorrhea Transmission
To really understand whether sharing drinks can transmit gonorrhea, it’s important to know how it spreads in the first place.
Traditional Routes of Transmission
The main way gonorrhea spreads is through genital contact. Unprotected sex – vaginal, anal, or oral – can all transmit the infection.
Also, a mother can pass gonorrhea to her baby during childbirth, sometimes leading to eye infections in newborns.
The Emerging Role of Saliva
Now, this is where things get interesting. Recent research suggests that saliva might play a role in spreading gonorrhea. Better testing methods are showing us that throat gonorrhea is more common than we thought.
This new information challenges what we’ve always believed about how gonorrhea spreads. For a long time, everyone thought it was only through genital contact. But this new research is changing that view.
The Link Between Kissing and Gonorrhea: What the Experts Say
Even though you can’t get gonorrhea from sharing drinks, there is a link between kissing and gonorrhea transmission.
Gonorrhea Transmission Through Kissing
Dr. Cornelisse states that there’s now convincing evidence that gonorrhea can, in fact, be transmitted by kissing. That’s because the infection can be transmitted via saliva.
Types of Kissing and Risk Levels
Deep kissing or open-mouthed kissing poses a higher risk, since it involves a greater exchange of saliva.
Casual kissing may present a lower risk simply because the amount of saliva exchanged is minimal.
Saliva as Lube and Rectal Gonorrhea
Using saliva as lube for anal sex is a significant risk factor for rectal gonorrhea, especially in men who have sex with men (MSM).
In fact, studies suggest that almost half of rectal gonorrhea cases might be eliminated if MSM stopped using their partner’s saliva for anal sex.
Sharing drinks: A negligible risk?
Even though gonorrhea can live in the throat and saliva, it’s unlikely you can get it from sharing a drink with someone.
Dr. Cornelisse suspects that sharing drinks probably doesn’t result in enough saliva being shared to transmit the infection. The concentration of the bacteria in the saliva may also be too low to cause an infection.
The amount of saliva exchanged when kissing is much higher than when sharing a drink. Deep kissing, in particular, involves a direct and heavy exchange of saliva.
Other factors also play a role in whether an infection occurs:
- The strength of the other person’s immune system
- The amount of bacteria in the infected person’s saliva
Because the risk of getting gonorrhea from sharing drinks is so low, experts say that you probably don’t have to worry about it.
Other Potential Modes of Saliva-Based Transmission
While sharing drinks isn’t a likely way to get gonorrhea, there are a few other ways the bacteria might be spread through saliva or contact.
Autoinoculation
It’s possible to give yourself gonorrhea (autoinoculation) if you touch an infected area and then touch another part of your body. For example, if you have gonorrhea and you touch your genitals and then touch your eyes, you could spread the infection to your eyes.
Oral sex
Oral sex is a known risk factor for throat gonorrhea.
If you’re engaging in oral sex, it’s important to use condoms or dental dams to protect yourself and your partner from infection.
Special Considerations for Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)
Men who have sex with men experience higher rates of gonorrhea than the general population.
Using saliva as a lubricant is a significant risk factor for contracting rectal gonorrhea.
For MSM, frequent STI testing, including throat swabs, is essential. This helps with early detection and preventing further spread. Talk to your doctor about how often you should be tested based on your individual risk factors.
Prevention Strategies and Testing
The best way to protect yourself from gonorrhea is to take precautions before you’re ever exposed.
Safe Sex Practices
To prevent the spread of gonorrhea (and other STIs), use condoms consistently during sexual activity. Also, don’t use saliva as a lubricant.
Regular STI Testing
If you’re sexually active, get tested for STIs regularly, including gonorrhea. If you have multiple partners, you may want to get tested as frequently as every three months, or even more frequently if you’re experiencing symptoms or know that you’ve been exposed.
Be sure that your doctor or the testing center swabs your throat during the examination. Gonorrhea can infect the throat, and you’ll want to know if that’s the case.
Exploring Alternative Prevention Methods
Medical Science & Computing (MSHC) is currently running a study to find out whether using antiseptic mouthwash can prevent throat gonorrhea.
Researchers are also looking at new prevention strategies that don’t rely on condoms. The goal is to give people more options for protecting themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What STDs are not curable?
Some sexually transmitted diseases, like herpes, HIV, and human papillomavirus (HPV), cannot be cured. However, treatments are available to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of transmission.
Can you get an STD from sharing a vape?
While it’s theoretically possible to transmit some STDs through saliva when sharing a vape, it’s generally considered a very low-risk activity. The primary concern with sharing vapes is the transmission of common respiratory illnesses like colds or the flu.
What can I catch from sharing drinks?
Sharing drinks primarily puts you at risk for contracting viruses and bacteria that cause illnesses like the common cold, flu, mononucleosis (mono), and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), which causes oral herpes. This raises questions about other risks, such as sharing drinks and herpes.
Can you get oral gonorrhea from sharing a glass?
Theoretically, oral gonorrhea transmission from sharing a glass is possible if an infected person’s saliva contaminates the glass and the bacteria are transferred to another person’s mouth. However, this is considered a very low-risk scenario. Gonorrhea is primarily spread through sexual contact.
Is gonorrhea easy to catch?
Gonorrhea is considered relatively easy to catch through sexual contact. It is most commonly transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The risk of transmission increases with unprotected sex and multiple partners. Consistent condom use is a key factor in preventing gonorrhea.
In Summary
So, while the risk of getting gonorrhea from sharing a drink is super low, it’s still true that saliva can transmit gonorrhea through things like kissing and oral sex.
The best thing you can do is practice safer sex, get tested regularly, and keep up with the latest information about STIs.
And, of course, the best way to avoid any confusion is to talk openly with your sexual partners about STIs, testing, and how you can protect each other.