Can you get an STI from giving a hand job?

When talking about sexual health, it’s common to encounter your fair share of myths. There are lots of stories out there about all the different ways you can get a sexually transmitted infection. Some have merit while others aren’t worth paying attention to.

At Better2Know, we want to provide you with the best possible information about STIs so that you can make informed decisions about your sexual health.

One question that comes up often is whether it’s possible to get an STI by giving a hand job. Despite what you may think, the answer to this question is much more nuanced than you might expect.

What is an STI?

First and foremost, let’s clarify what an STI is.

Sexually transmitted infections are infections that typically transmit through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites and can manifest in various ways, from mild discomfort to severe health complications if left untreated. Indeed, many infections do not present with any symptoms at all.

What STIs can be transmitted through a hand job?

In general, the risk of getting an STI from a hand job is very low, but not impossible. Most STIs are transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids, such as semen, vaginal secretions, or blood. Hand jobs involve manual stimulation of the genitals without penetration, which significantly reduces the risk of getting infected.

However, some STIs can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact:

• The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is often transmitted through simple skin-to-skin contact with an infected person’s genitals.
• Herpes can be transmitted by coming into contact with an infected person, usually through kissing or touching the infected person’s genitals during an outbreak. While infection is more likely if they have an outbreak, it’s also still possible to contract the virus when the infected person is experiencing no symptoms. In rare cases, Herpes can be transmitted through cuts on the finger. This condition, known as Herpetic Whitlow, can cause swelling, pain, discoloured skin, and blisters in the fingers.
• Syphilis can be transmitted through physical contact with an infected person’s chancre, which usually appears at the initial site of infection, usually the genitals. This chancre can appear 10-90 days after the original infection.  

How likely am I to get an STI by giving a hand job?

While unlikely, it’s still possible to get certain infections by giving someone a hand job. Here are some factors that can make transmission more likely:

• Exposure to semen: coming into contact with infected bodily fluids can increase your risk of getting an infection
• Open cuts or sores: if you have open cuts or sores on your hand, you are more likely to get infected since the skin cannot sufficiently protect you from the viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cause STIs.
• Use of bodily fluids as a lubricant: if saliva or vaginal secretions are used as a lubricant, the transmission of certain infections is more likely.

Final thoughts

Any sexual activity will come with risks. If you’re sexually active, it’s important to get tested regularly to avoid the worst effects of undetected STIs.

Call the number at the top of this page to schedule an STI test at a sexual health clinic near you. You can also speak to our team of knowledgeable Sexual Health Advisors who can talk to you about any incidents of concern or symptoms you may have.