You can get STDs without having sex

STDs, by definition, are ‘sexually transmitted’. They are most commonly contracted through unprotected sexual intercourse. But did you know that it’s very possible to get an STD even without actual ‘sex’ — without penetration?

‘Non-sexual’ Modes of Transmission of STDs

STDs can be passed from an infected person to another through contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth, penis, vagina, and rectum during kissing, genital contact, oral sex, anal intercourse, etc.

Chances are that you can become infected by kissing if you come in contact with infected secretions when you have chapped lips or other breaks in and around your lips.

Oral sex may not involve vaginal penetration, but it still carries the risk of infection. During oral sex, breaks in the skin may come in contact with infected secretions and surfaces on the body of your partner and can lead to transmission of gonorrhoea, chlamydia, herpes, hepatitis, etc. Shaving around the pubic area can cause small breaks in the skin and increase the risk of infection.

Can you get an STD from a toilet seat?

It is also possible, but unlikely, to get an STD by sitting on a toilet seat! Though very unlikely, infectious material on the seat may come in contact with a break in your skin and infect you.

Diseases like trichomoniasis spread through objects like damp cloth or towel that come in contact with infected areas. Pubic lice usually infect by close contact between individuals. Transmissions may also occur through the use of shared towels, clothing, etc. Here are 7 symptoms of STDs you can get from having unprotected sex.

Common STDs and Their Transmission without Penetrative Sex

#1 Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia 

Infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia may be transmitted through oral or anal sex, by fingers to eyes and from an infected mother to her baby during delivery. Direct contact with a syphilitic sore on the genitals, anus, and lips or in the rectum or mouth through kissing, oral sex and anal sex can put you at risk of being infected with the syphilitic virus.

Tip: Use of condoms during penile-oral sex or dental dams during oral-vaginal sex can help reduce risk of transmission.

#2 Hepatitis

Hepatitis A can be acquired through close personal contact with an infected individual or through certain unsafe sex practices.

Hepatitis B virus is highly infectious and can survive outside the body for around a week. It is transmitted from an infected person to other through direct blood-to-blood contact, semen or vaginal fluid.

It may be transmitted from mother to baby, during early childhood through close interpersonal contact with infected household contacts and through unsafe injection practices and blood transfusions.

Hepatitis C virus is mostly also transmitted through exposure to infective blood during transfusions. It may also be transmitted from infected mother to child during childbirth and through contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use.

Here are some of the common tips to prevent hepatitis.

• Getting vaccinated is one of the key steps to prevent hepatitis infection in kids as well as adults.1
• Maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation, drinking clean water, washing hands well after using the restroom, practising safe sex, refraining from sharing personal items like razors, needles etc.

#3 Herpes

Herpes virus can be transmitted from one person to other during close physical contact through oral secretions like saliva and through sores on the skin. Kissing, and sharing toothbrushes, plates or glasses used by an infected person may aid in the spread of the disease. It is also transmitted from a mother to her child during childbirth.

Tip: Following simple precautions like practising safe sex, maintaining proper hygiene, washing hands properly, etc. can prevent herpes infection.

#4 HIV

The chances of HIV transmission through oral sex are low but it can’t be completely ruled out.2 HIV may also be transmitted through transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing of contaminated needles used for injectable drugs, sharing infected needles for tattoos and body piercing and from HIV-infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

The virus cannot survive for long outside the human body and dies quickly when the body fluid in which it is contained dries up. This is why it can’t be spread by insects and can’t spread like the flu virus (public surfaces, coughing, sneezing, etc.). Here’s how to get tested for HIV and other STDs.

Tip: HIV transmission can be prevented by avoiding dangerous sexual practices and intravenous drug use, and following good hygiene practices.

Originally published on www.healthsite.com