Woman in her underwear holding her red dress and high heels, walking toward the exit after a one-night stand, while in the background a man is sleeping in bed.

Can You Get an STD From a One-Night Stand?

Casual sexual encounters, or one-night stands, are a common experience for many individuals to take part in at least once in their lifetimes. Having a one-night stand can be exciting, but it can also put your health at serious risk, potentially spreading sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In fact, participating in more casual encounters with multiple sexual partners increases your risk of contracting an STD compared to being in a long-term monogamous relationship.

But what if participating in a one-night stand is a rare occurrence for you? Does less frequent casual sex mean you have minimal risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases? Unfortunately, even having unprotected sex once could be enough to put you at risk of infection. One-night stands happen, but casual sex should be treated as anything but casual. Understanding the inherent risks, taking preventive measures, and participating in confidential STD testing regularly will help protect your sexual health long-term.

What is Classified as a One-Night Stand?

A one-night stand typically refers to a single sexual encounter between two individuals without the expectation of a long-term relationship. These encounters often occur between strangers or acquaintances and can include various sexual activities like vaginal intercourse, anal sex, and oral sex.

Everyone has different reasons for participating in a one-night stand. Some enjoy the anonymity or the freedom of letting go with someone they’ll likely not see again. Perhaps they participate in casual sex often, repeatedly seeking that excitement. Others may have gotten out of a long-term relationship and don’t want anything serious or have gone out without intentions to go home with someone, but alcohol or other substances have lowered inhibitions.

Regardless of the reason or what sexual acts were performed, every one-night stand can put you at risk of contracting or transmitting sexually transmitted infections and diseases, even if penetration doesn’t happen.

By the Numbers: STD Risks of Casual Sexual Encounters

The risk of contracting an STD from a one-night stand varies depending on several factors, including the type of sexual activity and whether protection was used. Risks will also depend on whether or not your partner has an STD, and if they do, if symptoms are present (such as lesions from the herpes simplex virus), and the specific type of STD they have.

Below is a breakdown of the risk of acquiring specific STDs from just one instance of unprotected sex:

STD Unprotected Vaginal Sex Risk Unprotected Anal Sex Risk
HIV 0.05% – 0.1% (4 per 10,000 sexual acts) Receptive: 1.4% (138 per 10,000 sexual acts)
Insertive: .06% – 0.16% (11 per 10,000 sexual acts)
Herpes Simplex Virus 0.3% – 0.7% No exact data is available
Gonorrhea 20% Receptive: 84%
Insertive: 2%
Chlamydia 4.50% 32%
Syphilis 51% – 64% 30% – 60%
HPV 4% per 100 persons tracked over one month Receptive: 33.7% – 85.7%
Insertive: 0.8% – 14.2%

While some of these risk percentages feel small, no amount is worth risking your overall health.

STD Risk Factors: What Will Increase (and Decrease) Your Chances of Disease Transmission

Several factors can influence your likelihood of contracting an STD during a one-night stand. Understanding these can help you take proactive steps to reduce your risk:

Risk-Increasing Factors:

  • Not Using Protection: Participating in sexual activity without condoms or dental dams significantly increases your risk of STD transmission.
  • Multiple Partners: Engaging in sexual activities with multiple partners increases the likelihood of encountering someone with an STD.
  • High-Risk Activities: Anal sex carries a higher risk of STD transmission than vaginal or oral sex for most STDs. On the other hand, oral sex can present a higher risk of herpes infection if someone has oral herpes or HSV-1.
  • Asymptomatic Partners: Never assume you can safely have unprotected sex just because no symptoms are present. Many STDs show no symptoms, making it difficult to assess a partner’s health status.

Ways to Decrease Risk

  • Consistent Use of Protection: Properly using condoms can reduce the risk of transmission for many STDs by up to 98%.
  • Open Communication: Discussing sexual health with partners can help identify potential risks.
  • Regular Testing: Knowing your health status ensures early detection and treatment of any STDs.

Common STDs Contracted From a One-Night Stand

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is one of the most common and easily transmitted STDs. It spreads through vaginal, anal, or oral sex and is often asymptomatic, which makes it challenging to detect without testing. Chlamydia symptoms, if present, include painful urination, unusual discharge, and abdominal pain.

Gonorrhea

Like chlamydia, gonorrhea is highly transmissible and often asymptomatic. It’s spread through sexual contact and can affect the genitals, rectum, and throat. Common gonorrhea symptoms include burning during urination and abnormal discharge.

Herpes

Herpes (HSV-2) is easily spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, even when no visible sores are present. Genital herpes symptoms include painful blisters or ulcers in the genital area.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is one of the most common STDs and can be transmitted through any sexual activity. While many cases are asymptomatic, certain strains can cause genital warts or lead to certain forms of cancer, such as cervical cancer. Vaccination is highly effective in reducing the risk of HPV, so discuss your risks and vaccination options with your doctor.

HIV

HIV is less common, but a serious risk from one-night stands nonetheless, particularly when protection is not used. It’s transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids and can lead to significant health complications if left untreated. Early HIV symptoms may resemble the flu, so any illness occurring within a matter of a few weeks from unprotected casual sex should be taken seriously.

When to Get Tested After a One-Night Stand

Testing timelines will vary depending on the STD, as each has a different incubation period. In general, testing guidelines for common STDs are:

  • Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: 1-2 weeks after expsoure
  • Herpes: 2-12 days after potential exposure for initial symptoms; blood tests may require more time
  • HPV: Testing is not routine unless symptoms like genital warts appear
  • HIV: 4-6 weeks for antigen/antibody tests; earlier detection is possible with RNA testing

As timelines vary and symptoms are often non-existent, regular testing is crucial. Getting a test that looks for several infections at once is ideal for convenience and for getting an overall picture of your sexual health status, like Priority STD Testing’s 10-Panel STD Test.

Don’t Let One Night Affect Your Long-Term Sexual Health. Get Tested Today with Priority STD

Casual encounters can be exciting and even empowering, but they shouldn’t jeopardize your health. Understanding the risks and taking preventive measures are essential for maintaining your sexual well-being. Testing is critical in staying informed and protecting yourself and your future partners.

Priority STD Testing offers confidential, reliable, and convenient options to ensure peace of mind. Prevent one night from impacting your long-term healthFind a local STD testing location near you and get tested today to take control of your sexual health.