Can You Get STD Without Sexual Intercourse?

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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), as the term suggests, are diseases that are transmitted through having unprotected sexual intercourse. However, that is certainly not the only way of transmission that researchers have described over the years. In the following article, we will share the different transmission ways through which an STD could be transmitted that do not involve sexual intercourse – vaginal or anal.

5 Ways through which you can get an STD without sexual intercourse

Oral sex

Although oral sex is often not considered to be “actual” sex since it does not involve any penetration, it does represent a common way of transmission for many dangerous STDs since there is still an exchange of infected secretions. Oral sex can help spread STDs such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and others. If there is a suspicion that you or your partner has an STD, do use a condom for any sexual contact – oral, anal, and vaginal as a primary way of protecting against unwanted pregnancy and STDs.

Kissing

If you think of kissing as an innocent action, think again. We bet that you did not think of kissing as being one of the common transmission ways for many STDs such as herpes for example. When you come in contact with sores and you have even the slightest breaks in your skin on the lips through which infected secretions will be exchanged, the risk of getting herpes is quite high.

Sharing sheets and/or clothes

Sheets, towels, and clothes can be the place where viral infections are hiding, waiting to spread in yet another body. Such examples as pubic lice and the parasite that causes trichomoniasis. We highly recommend changing your sheets often and avoid sharing towels and clothes with people whose reproductive health you are not aware of.

Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding

Unfortunately, many STDs can be transmitted through pregnancy and childbirth from the infected mother to her little one. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and cytomegalovirus can spread through delivery whereas syphilis and HIV can infect the fetus during pregnancy. Studies show that these types of transmissions are not uncommon at all with the prevalence being as high as 15% among pregnant women who are often affected by STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Breastfeeding is yet another common transmission path for most HIV. This is why proper STD screening is done as a part of the prenatal visits, but it is very important that the mother-to-be is aware of the dangers of STDs and take proper care of her reproductive health throughout the pregnancy and breastfeeding period.

Sharing a razor

Sharing razors, and any sharp objects that cut or pierce the skin and lead to an exchange of infected blood can lead to an STD transmission. This is one of the most common ways that HIV and hepatitis A, B, C, and D, happens without sexual intercourse.