In December 2024, the Miami Herald reported that former Buffalo Bills player Eric Moulds was being sued after allegedly infecting a past romantic partner with an incurable STD. The lawsuit claims the ex-NFL star kept his herpes diagnosis under wraps during their months-long involvement, which became sexual after he flew her out on an “all-expenses paid trip” in January 2023.
They continued to spend time together until November of that year. By December, Moulds’ pregnant fiancée reached out to the woman to suggest she get tested for STDs “because she, along with other women whom (Moulds) had relationships with, had been transmitted diseases by him,” the complaint states. This story, and many others like it, have the public wondering, can you really sue someone for giving you an STD?
Overview
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are caused by a bacteria, virus or fungi that has been shared between partners through sexual contact. If a consensual sexual partner failed to disclose that they have an STD, then you may be successful in suing them for compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages and emotional distress. Additionally, compensation can be awarded to individuals who were victims of non-consensual harmful contact by a partner who knew they had an STD and did not disclose.
In order to successfully sue someone for transmitting an STD, you’ll need to prove via medical records, testimony or text messages that the person knew they had an STD and chose not to tell you. Certain jurisdictions in the United States also consider it a crime to transmit certain STDs knowingly. In civil cases, the plaintiff must prove that it is more likely than not, via a preponderance of the evidence, that what they are accusing the defendant of took place. According to Emma Alves of Alves Law, failure to disclose conditions such as HIV prior to sexual activity “may result in severe criminal actions such as aggravated sexual assault.”
Tuan Ho, an Associate Attorney at the Law Firm of Rivers J. Morrell III, notes that the two largest hurdles that come with suing someone in a civil case for this matter is the proof of knowledge and causation. The defendant must have actual or constructive knowledge of their condition, meaning they have either received treatment or a positive test for the STD, or they have experienced symptoms of the STD, even if they chose not to get tested.
The plaintiff must also prove that the defendant gave them this particular infection. Although no test can definitively answer this, a combination of a culture test, an antibody test, initial symptoms and medical history may help further define and limit the time period during which the STI was contracted. If it can be proven that the plaintiff was only sexually active with the defendant during the time period in question, it’s likely that it can be believed that the plaintiff contracted the infection from the defendant.
Average cost of an STD
The cost of dealing with an STD varies depending on which disease it is and what type of insurance coverage you have, if any. For example, Planned Parenthood notes that most insurance plans cover regular testing for HIV, but testing for infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis may require an out-of-pocket payment or copay.
Testing for a single STD can cost anywhere from $30-$185 at urgent care centers and primary care facilities, according to Better Care. Multi-STD screening panels can cost up to $400 and may not be covered by private insurance plans.
According to a 2023 academic study with the CDC, the cost of an STD varies based on the sex of the patient, whether the infection is symptomatic or asymptomatic and whether the infection causes other long-term health issues or complications. The study reported that the average costs for chlamydia are $46 for men and $262 for women, gonorrhea averages $78 for men and $254 for women and trichomoniasis averages $5 for men and $36 for women.
With insurance
Many health insurance plans cover 100% of preventative care with no co-pays, which often includes regular STD testing. If you test positive for an STD, it’s up to your specific healthcare plan as to whether or not the antibiotics or other medication to treat the STD will be covered. Doctor visits, lab work and prescribed medication are all part of the costs that you can expect to accumulate if you are diagnosed. With insurance, you may be required to pay a co-pay or deductible toward these costs, depending on your specific plan.
Without insurance
If you don’t have healthcare insurance, it’s still possible to obtain tests and receive treatment for STDs. On average, out-of-pocket costs for STD tests can range from $0 for a basic screening to hundreds of dollars for multi-screening tests. Treatment can also vary from $10 to hundreds of dollars, depending on the STD and the severity of the infection.
Factors that affect STD cost
The particulars of your health insurance plan may affect what preventive care is covered and what STD tests you may need to pay for out of pocket.
Additionally, your age and prior medical history may also play a role in your cost for STD testing. Certain groups are more at risk of contracting certain STDs. For example, sexually active women under the age of 24 are more susceptible to contracting syphilis than older individuals, so their testing may be covered or discounted under certain insurance plans.
STD insurance coverage details
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides all Americans aged 15 to 65 with the right to receive regular HIV testing without paying additional copays or deductibles. According to the CDC, Medicare, Medicaid and many private health insurance plans cover testing for syphilis, chlamydia and HPV for select groups. Individuals who are at an increased risk for infection from any STDs are also more likely to be covered for STD testing.
Sexually active women who are 24 years or younger are covered for chlamydia screenings with most health insurance plans, as noted by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Additional information about who is covered for testing and most at risk for sexually transmitted infections can be found on the CDC website.
If you successfully sue someone for transmitting an STD to you, you may be eligible for reimbursement for the medical costs incurred due to the infection.
How to save money
Dealing with STDs is stressful and can be financially draining. Fortunately, there are some ways to cut costs if you’re willing to search for cheap testing options, use generic medications for treatment and seek out assistance programs in your area. The CDC’s GetTested website allows you to search for places to receive STD tests for little to no cost. Community health centers and organizations like Planned Parenthood often offer STD testing for free or on a sliding scale, depending on income.
If you are concerned that you were infected by someone who knew they had an STI, you may want to look into nonprofit organizations to help you find lawyers who will represent you in your case. You may be eligible to receive monetary compensation for the medical costs incurred and for emotional damages, such as psychotherapy for pain and suffering, if you win your case.
HIV.gov notes that certain medications and preventive treatments are also available for little to no cost for at-risk communities through patient assistance programs and co-payment assistance programs. HIV is considered one of the most serious STDs since it is a chronic, lifelong condition with no available cure. PrEP and PEP medications are encouraged for individuals who may be at a higher risk of contracting HIV.
Other patient assistance programs are available for individuals dealing with other STDs as well. Sliding scale clinics and health centers funded under the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) often provide reduced-cost care for individuals diagnosed with STDs.
Even if you have insurance, treating STDs can quickly add up. Ask your medical provider about prescribing the generic option of antibiotics or other medications to help you save money at the pharmacy. If you’re struggling to make ends meet while dealing with an STD, consider looking into local nonprofit organizations that may be able to assist you with funding your medical expenses.
How do STDs start in the first place?
STDs originate from pathogens (disease-causing agents) that enter the body. These fall into three main categories: viruses, bacteria and parasites. The journey of an STD begins when an infected individual transmits one of these agents to an uninfected partner. The primary and most common route of transmission is through sexual acts, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. During these activities, the pathogens can be transferred via bodily fluids like semen, vaginal secretions, or blood, or through contact with infected skin or mucous membranes.
Can you prove someone gave you an STD?
No single test can definitively tell that a person gave you an STD, but a combination of tests can give you a window of when the infection took place. The National Library of Medicine confirms that a swab or culture test can be done to see if a sexually transmitted infection is present at the time of the test. An antibody test, on the other hand, will return positive once someone has developed the antibodies necessary for fighting an STD. It typically takes between four to six weeks for an antibody test to return a positive result after the time of infection.
If someone tests positive with a culture test but negative with an antibody test, then it is likely that the STD was transmitted within the last four to six weeks, since the body has not yet created the antibodies to fight off the infection. If a swab test comes back positive but an antibody test is negative, and if there was only one partner within that four to six-week time frame, then it is likely that that partner transmitted the infection.
Bottom line
Nobody wants to contract an STD, but if you do become infected from someone who did not disclose their condition to you or through an unconsensual sexual activity, then you may have a case to sue that person. The probability of winning that case depends on the proof you can obtain regarding their knowledge and lack of communication about the STD, and proof that you did not already have that STD prior to the sexual contact.
You may be eligible to receive compensation for emotional damages and medical costs incurred if you can prove that it is more likely than not that you contracted an STD from someone who did not disclose their condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two faithful partners get chlamydia?
Yes. As shared by the CDC, since chlamydia can be passed from a mother to her baby during childbirth, it’s possible for someone who has chlamydia unknowingly to give it to someone else, even if both partners have only had sex with each other.
Is there a vaccine for all STDs?
No. Vaccines exist for HPV and Hepatitis B but there are no vaccines for other STDs like herpes, gonorrhoea and syphilis. However, treatments to lessen the effects and symptoms of several STDs are available, per the WHO.
Do condoms prevent STDs?
Condoms can prevent the spread of STDs that are transmitted through bodily fluids, like HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia, the CDC confirms. HPV, genital herpes and syphilis may still be contracted when using condoms because they spread through skin-to-skin contact.
Citations
Planned Parenthood. Does Health Insurance Cover Sexual Health Services? Planned Parenthood. Published May 9, 2022. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-care/health-insurance/about-health-insurance/does-health-insurance-cover-sexual-health-services#:~:text=But%20whether%20your%20plan%20covers,or%20community%20health%20care%20centers
BetterCare. How Much Does STD Testing Cost? BetterCare. Published April 10, 2025. https://bettercare.com/costs/std-testing-cost
Kumar S, et al. The Estimated Lifetime Medical Cost of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis. PMC. Published 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10440745/
HIV.gov. The Affordable Care Act and HIV/AIDS. Published October 3, 2025. https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/other-topics/the-affordable-care-act-and-hiv-aids
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. STD Preventive Service Coverage Tables. CDC High Quality Care. Published February 16, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/high-quality-care/hcp/resources/std-preventive-service-coverage.html
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Recommendation: Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Screening. Published September 14, 2021. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/chlamydia-and-gonorrhea-screening
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. STD Preventive Service Coverage Tables: Syphilis Testing. CDC High Quality Care. Published February 16, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/high-quality-care/hcp/resources/std-preventive-service-coverage.html#cdc_generic_section_2-syphilis-testing
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Get Tested: National HIV, STD, and Viral Hepatitis Testing and Vaccines Near You. Published [date not indicated]. https://gettested.cdc.gov/
HIV.gov. Paying for HIV Care and Treatment. Published November 11 2024. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/hiv-treatment/paying-for-hiv-care-and-treatment/assistance
Crowley JS. Paying for and Structuring STI Services. In: [Editor names if available]. National Academies Press; 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573144/
Aaron KJ, Griner S, Footman A, Boutwell A, Van Der Pol B. Vaginal Swab vs Urine for Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis: A Meta-Analysis. Ann Fam Med. 2023;21(2):172-179. doi:10.1370/afm.2942. Accessed November 18 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10042575/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). CDC. Published March 25, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/sti/about/index.html
World Health Organization. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) fact sheet. WHO. Published September 10, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-%28stis%29
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Condoms. Let’s Stop HIV Together. https://www.cdc.gov/stophivtogether/hiv-prevention/condoms.html