Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSTIs You Can Get From FingeringSymptoms and TestingReducing the Risk
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
STIs You Can Get From Fingering
Symptoms and Testing
Reducing the Risk
This article explores what the risks of STIs are from fingering and what you can do to avoid them.
Verywell / Laura Porter
STI vs. STD
What STIs Can You Get From Fingering?
Fingering is when you use your fingers and hands to stimulate your partner’s vagina or anus. Also known as digital vaginal penetration, manual penetration, or heavy petting, fingering can be an enjoyable sexual activity on its own. It can also be part of foreplay.
Many people assume that fingering is a very safe form of sex, and they’re mostly right.
There is very little research looking at whether fingering is an actualrisk factor for transmitting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is because few people limit themselves toonlyfingering during sex.
Even so, certain STIs likehuman papillomavirus (HPV),herpes,gonorrhea, andchlamydiahave the potential to be passed through fingering.
A Word From Verywell
—RENITA WHITE, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Several studies have confirmed that the virus can be found under the fingernails of people living with genital HPV. This suggests that people can, in fact, transmit or acquire HPV from fingering.
The current research suggests that it is relatively low. A 2019 study from McGill University, which focused solely on the risk of HPV from fingering, recruited over 250 heterosexual couples who agreed to have their hands and genitals swabbed every few months.
The HPV samples from the swabs were then genetically “typed,” allowing the researchers to determine theroute of transmissionfrom one partner to the next.
Based on the findings, the McGill researchers concluded that the risk of acquiring HPV from fingering was possible but “unlikely.” In the end, the amount of HPV on the fingers was only a fraction of what was found in the genitals and generally not enough to establish an infection.
Fingering and Warts
HPV is the predominant cause ofwarts, both on the genitals and other parts of the body. However, the HPV types that cause hand warts are different than those that cause genital warts.
There are also 14 types (including HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, and HPV45) that are considered “high-risk” because they can lead to cancers, likecervical cancer. These HPV types do not cause warts.
How Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Is Treated
Herpes
Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be spread through skin-to-skin contact and can even be passed when the virus is active and no open sores are present.With that said, transmission is more likely when you touch anopen soreand then finger the genitals or anus.
Fingering can also possibly lead to a condition calledherpetic whitlowin which a lesion with tiny blisters will develop on a finger due to the transmission of the herpes virus. There may also be swelling, reddening, tenderness, and fever. In adults, HSV-2 is the most common cause.
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
Other studies suggest that it may be possible to transmitgonorrheaandchlamydiathrough fingering. These bacterial STIs are transmitted mainly through sexual contact and can occur with or withoutejaculation.
It is been suggested that infected saliva may be the source of the infection, and whilerimming(oral-anal sex) may be a prime route of infection, using saliva for fingering has also been implicated.
It is also important to note that gonorrhea and chlamydia can both be passed to the eye if infected fluids (such as semen) are passed, commonly through touch. Known asgonococcalconjunctivitisand chlamydial conjunctivitis, these conditions causesymptoms of pink eyeand, in severe cases, can damage thecorneaof the eye.
Everything You Need to Know About Gonorrhea
If you think you may have been exposed to an STI, whether through fingering or intercourse, it’s important to watch for symptoms and get tested. Some common symptoms of STIs include:
Not all STIs produce symptoms, so if you had unprotected sex with a new partner or you’ve been told your partner has an STI, it’s important to get tested even if you feel fine.
What Is a Sexually Transmitted Infection?
Reducing the Risk of STIs
People of all sexual orientations may engage in fingering. If you intend to practice vaginal or anal fingering, there are ways to make it safer. You can wear gloves orfinger cots, making sure to change them when needed to avoid spreading body fluids.
You should also wash your hands between touching your own genitals and your partner’s. It also reduces the risk ofself-inoculation, such as passing herpes fromyour own mouth to your own genitalsor vice versa.
If you have long nails, you can pad them with cotton before putting on gloves to provide support and prevent punctures. Or you may want to keep your nails trimmed and filed to prevent scratching your partner’s genitals.
Summary
It is possible to pass certain STIs like HPV, gonorrhea, and herpes through fingering. Even so, most studies suggest that the risk is low to unlikely.
With that said, the risk is not zero. To be safe, you can use gloves or finger cots and wash your hands between touching yourself and touching your partner.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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