Can You Get an STD From Breast Milk? What to Know

Quick answer: Most STDs do not spread through breast milk — but HIV can, and it's the main concern. Hepatitis B and C are generally compatible with breastfeeding when the right precautions are in place. If you have HIV or viral hepatitis, talk to your provider about the safest way to feed your baby.

Can You Get an STD From Breast Milk?

This is a question I take care to answer precisely, because the stakes for a parent are high. For most STDs, the answer is no — chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis are not passed to a baby through breast milk itself. The infection that genuinely can be transmitted this way is HIV. A couple of others — hepatitis B and C — deserve a closer look but usually don't stand in the way of breastfeeding.

HIV and Breast Milk

HIV can pass from parent to baby through breast milk, so this is where the real planning happens:

• In the US and other high-income countries, formula feeding has traditionally been recommended for parents with HIV to eliminate the risk entirely.

• Updated guidance now supports shared decision-making: for parents on effective HIV treatment with a sustained undetectable viral load, the risk through breastfeeding is very low (under 1%), though not zero.

• Donor milk from a screened bank is another safe option.

What I tell patients is that this is a decision to make with your care team, not alone — they'll help you weigh the options based on your viral load and situation.

Hepatitis B and Breast Milk

Hepatitis B can be found in breast milk, but breastfeeding is considered safe when the baby receives the standard hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG at birth — which nearly all babies in the US do. In that case it isn't a reason to avoid breastfeeding. If your nipples are cracked or bleeding, pause on that side until they heal and check with your provider.

Hepatitis C and Breast Milk

Hepatitis C is not normally spread through breast milk, and breastfeeding is considered safe. The one exception I flag: cracked or bleeding nipples. Because hep C spreads through blood, it's wise to stop nursing on that side temporarily until they heal.

What About Herpes and Syphilis?

Neither is transmitted through the milk itself — the risk is direct contact with a sore. If you have an active herpes or syphilis lesion on the breast or nipple, avoid nursing on that side until it's healed and treated, and express milk to keep your supply up. A lesion elsewhere doesn't affect breastfeeding.

Feeding Safely: The Key Points

• Know your status — testing during pregnancy is routine for exactly this reason.

• HIV — discuss feeding options with your provider.

• Hepatitis B/C — breastfeeding is generally safe; pause on a cracked or bleeding nipple.

• Active breast sores — don't nurse on that side until healed.

For other everyday transmission questions, see whether you can get an STD from sharing a razor or from sweat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can HIV be passed through breast milk?
Yes. HIV can transmit through breast milk, which is why parents with HIV should discuss feeding options with their provider.

Can I breastfeed with hepatitis B?
Yes, when your baby gets the standard hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG at birth. Pause on a cracked or bleeding nipple.

Is it safe to breastfeed with hepatitis C?
Generally yes. Hep C isn't spread through milk, but stop temporarily on a cracked or bleeding nipple.

Can chlamydia or gonorrhea pass through breast milk?
No. These aren't transmitted through breast milk.

The Bottom Line

Breast milk isn't a route for most STDs — HIV is the key exception, and hepatitis B and C are usually compatible with breastfeeding when precautions are followed. The safest step is knowing your status and planning with your provider. If you're unsure, you can get tested.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Medical review: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Infant-feeding decisions with HIV or hepatitis should be made with your healthcare provider. Guidance is based on CDC HIV information and CDC hepatitis B information.