Can I Get an STI from Kissing?
![A couple kissing](https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Couple-kissing-1024x576.png)
You can get STIs from kissing, but most experts would tell you that kissing—even passionate kissing with tongue—is a pretty safe sexual behavior.
STIs Are Not Just for the Young
![An older couple kissing](https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Older-couple-kissing1-1024x576.png)
STIs aren’t about age, they’re about sexual behavior. Older people are having sex, and they need to be thinking about sexually transmitted infections.
Understanding the Social Factors Associated with Congenital Syphilis
![An infant is in an incubator in the NICU](https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Congenital-syphilis-1024x576.png)
Public health experts have said that every case of congenital syphilis is a failure of STI screening and prenatal care. A new study looked more closely at cases to see what factors in a pregnant person’s life were most associated with congenital syphilis.
Genital Warts
![Human papillomavirus or HPV](https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/HPV-1024x576.png)
Genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The types of HPV that cause genital warts are usually spread by direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or possibly oral sex with someone who has this infection.
Preventing HIV with Just Two Shots a Year? A New Study Shows This is Possible
![A woman gets an injection](https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PrEP-study-1024x576.png)
Remarkable results in a Phase III PrEP trial with women and adolescent girls in Africa—two injections per year effectively prevented all HIV infection.
New Option for Cervical Cancer Screening — Self Collected Samples
![A uterus](https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Uterus1.png)
The FDA recently approved HPV testing using self-collected samples. Experts hope allowing people to collect their own samples will increase screening rates.
New Guidelines on Syphilis Testing in Pregnancy
![A pregnant woman tested for syphilis](https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/syphilis-testing-in-pregnancy-1024x576.png)
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released new guidelines recommending that all pregnant people be screened for syphilis three times during pregnancy.
Vampire Facials Confirmed as Cause of At Least Three HIV Infections
![Vampire facial](https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Vampire-facial-1024x597.png)
A joint investigation by the CDC and the New Mexico Health Department has confirmed that an unlicensed medi-spa is responsible for at least three cases of HIV.
An Experimental Vaccine for Chlamydia Shows Promise in Early Study
![A vaccine vial](https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Chlamydia-vaccine-1024x576.png)
A Phase 1 trail for a possible new chlamydia vaccine had encouraging results. Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs worldwide—a vaccine could dramatically change this landscape.
Oklahoma Bill Would Criminalize STIs
![Oklahoma legislature](https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OK-legislature-1024x576.png)
The Oklahoma House recently passed a bill making it a crime to intentionally or recklessly spread several STIs. Those found guilty would be convicted of a felony and punished with between two and five years in prison.