STD Prevention: Can You Get an STD Without Having Sex?

How are STDs Spread?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are primarily spread through sexual contact, which includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex according to the CDC. They explain that transmission occurs when pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites enter the body through mucous membranes, which are found in the genital area, anus, and mouth. Additionally, some STDs can be spread through skin-to-skin contact, even if there are no visible sores or symptoms. It's important to note that the risk of transmission can increase with multiple sexual partners or unprotected sex.

In some cases, the CDC notes, STDs can also be transmitted through non-sexual means. For instance, sharing needles or syringes can spread infections like HIV and hepatitis. Pregnant individuals can pass certain STDs to their babies during childbirth or through breastfeeding. Preventative measures, such as using condoms, getting vaccinated (for diseases like HPV and hepatitis B), and regular testing, are crucial in reducing the risk of transmission and promoting sexual health. Awareness and education about how STDs are spread can help individuals make informed choices and protect themselves and their partners.

Methods of STD Transmission That Don't Involve Penetrative Sex

1. Kissing

It is possible to get an STD through kissing because kissing involves the exchange of saliva. The most common STD that can be passed along through kissing is oral herpes , according to the CDC. However, if a person performs oral sex and comes into contact with a genital fluid before initiating kissing, other STDs — such as gonorrhea or chlamydia — can be passed along, as well. If you have open sores or cuts in your mouth, and your partner does as well, it’s also possible to contract a blood-borne STD, such as HIV, through kissing, though this is rare.

2. Oral sex

It is definitely possible to get an STD through oral sex. During oral sex, your mouth comes into contact with the sexual fluids of another person (whether vaginal lubricating fluids, or ejaculate), and these fluids can be infected with an STD. If you are performing oral sex on a person who is menstruating, and you come into contact with their blood, experts at the CDC note that it’s also possible to contract a blood-borne STD, such as HIV, if you have cuts in your mouth.

3. Skin-to-skin contact

Skin-to-skin contact can propagate STDs through direct interaction with infected areas or lesions, even when no visible symptoms are present. Many sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV), can be transmitted through contact with infected skin or mucous membranes during sexual activity. This means that individuals can contract these infections simply by touching an area where the virus is present, such as the genitals, anus, or surrounding skin. Because these infections can exist without obvious signs, it is crucial to practice safe sex and maintain open communication with partners to reduce the risk of transmission.

4. Touching your eye during sexual activity

If you have a sexual fluid on your fingertips during intimate activity, and then you accidentally touch your eyeball, it’s possible to contract an STD such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes. However, this type of transmission is more likely to occur from a mother to a baby, during childbirth, according to the CDC.

5. Sharing sex toys

It is possible to get an STD by sharing sex toys, especially if you are passing the sex toys around during an intimate session. According to the CDC, you are less likely to get an STD if you thoroughly clean the sexual fluids off a sex toy between each use.

6. Sharing toothbrushes

According to the CDC, if you’re sharing a toothbrush with a person with oral herpes, it’s possible to contract their herpes infection. You can also get a blood-borne STD like HIV or hepatitis if you have cuts in your mouth or bleeding gums , and the person you’re sharing with does as well.

7. Sharing a razor

Sharing a razor can also make you vulnerable to contracting herpes if viral particles are on the razor and you shave in your pubic region, according to experts at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Sharing a razor with a person infected with a blood-borne STD like HIV or hepatitis can also make you vulnerable to contracting the infection because razors can cause cuts in the skin and the exchange of blood.

8. Sharing needles

If you share needles to inject drugs, it is possible to get a blood-borne STD such as hepatitis or HIV, according to the CDC. This is a major public health issue, and it’s one of the main reasons why needle-swap programs have been developed by local governments and other organizations.

9. Contaminated food

While STDs are primarily transmitted through sexual contact, there is a minimal risk of transmission through fabric or surfaces, particularly in the case of certain infections. For example, some pathogens, like the herpes simplex virus, can survive for a short period on surfaces or fabrics that have come into contact with infected bodily fluids. However, the likelihood of contracting an STD through inanimate objects is significantly lower compared to direct sexual contact. It is generally understood that the transmission of STDs through shared clothing, towels, or bedding is rare, as most pathogens require direct mucous membrane exposure to establish an infection. Nonetheless, maintaining good hygiene practices and avoiding sharing personal items can help reduce any potential risk.

10. Eating contaminated food

According to the CDC, eating contaminated food may cause you to get an STD if you have an exchange of blood (i.e., an HIV-infected person with a cut on their lip bites a sandwich, then you bite the sandwich and their blood gets into a cut in your mouth). However, this chain of events is very unlikely. It is also possible to get oral herpes if you eat someone else’s predigested food (this is rare, but just don’t do it!).

11. Getting a blood transfusion

It is possible to get an STD such as HIV or hepatitis through a blood transfusion. However, donated blood is screened for these infections in the United States, according to the CDC. However, if you are receiving a blood transfusion in a different country that has fewer health regulations, it may be more possible to contract a blood-borne STD through a transfusion.

Which STDs Are Frequently Transmitted Without Sexual Contact?

While most STDs are primarily transmitted through sexual contact, some can be spread through non-sexual means. Here are a few STDs that can be transmitted without sexual contact, according to the CDC:

• Syphilis: This bacterial infection can be spread through direct contact with syphilis sores during activities such as kissing if the sores are present on the lips or in the mouth.

• Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2): Herpes simplex virus can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including kissing or touching an infected area, even when no symptoms are visible.

• HPV (Human Papillomavirus): While often transmitted through sexual contact, HPV can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, which may occur without penetrative sex.

• Hepatitis B: This virus can be transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids, including sharing needles or through non-sexual routes such as from mother to child at birth.

• HIV: Although primarily transmitted through sexual contact, HIV can also be spread through sharing needles or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.

• Trichomoniasis: While it is generally considered a sexually transmitted infection, there is some evidence that it can be transmitted through shared damp towels or bathing suits, although this is rare.

STD Prevention: Do’s and Don’ts

Preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is crucial for maintaining sexual health and overall well-being. By adopting certain practices and avoiding high-risk behaviors, the CDC notes that individuals can significantly reduce their chances of contracting or spreading STDs. The following do's and don'ts provide practical guidance for safer sexual practices and hygiene, helping to create a healthier environment for everyone.

Do’s

• Get STD vaccinations, such as those for HPV and hepatitis B, to protect against specific infections.

• Clean sex toys thoroughly before and after use to prevent the spread of infections.

• Wash your hands after sexual intimacy to minimize the risk of transferring pathogens.

• Use condoms or dental dams consistently during sexual activity to provide a barrier against STDs.

• Get regular STD screenings and encourage partners to do the same for early detection and treatment.

Don'ts

• Avoid sharing medical equipment or drug injection equipment to prevent the spread of infections like HIV and hepatitis.

• Avoid sharing food, utensils, or unwashed linens, as this can pose a minimal risk for certain infections.

• Don’t engage in sexual activity if you or your partner have visible sores or symptoms of an STD.

• Avoid having multiple sexual partners without protection, as this increases the risk of exposure to STDs.

STD Symptoms and Incubation

Understanding the symptoms and incubation periods of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is essential for early detection and treatment. Many STDs can be asymptomatic, meaning individuals may not exhibit noticeable symptoms even when infected. However, recognizing the common signs can prompt individuals to seek medical advice and testing, which is crucial for preventing further transmission. The incubation period, which is the time between exposure to the infection and the appearance of symptoms, varies among different STDs, making awareness even more important for timely intervention.

Common Symptoms of STDs Include:

• Pain during sexual intercourse, which can indicate infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

• Genital itching or irritation, often associated with infections like yeast infections or trichomoniasis.

• Painful urination, commonly experienced with urinary tract infections or STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia.

• Unusual discharge from the genitals, which may vary in color and consistency depending on the infection.

• Swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, indicating a possible systemic infection.

• Sores or blisters in the genital or anal regions, often linked to herpes or syphilis.

What is the incubation period for each STI?

The incubation period of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) refers to the amount of time between the time a person is infected and the time they start to have symptoms. Incubation periods can also affect when a person may develop a positive STD test. Here is a breakdown of the incubation periods for each STI, according to the CDC:

• HIV: 2 to 4 weeks

• Chlamydia: 7 to 20 days

• Gonorrhea: 1 to 14 days

• Syphilis: 2 to 12 weeks (or even years)

• Hepatitis C: 2 to 26 weeks

• Hepatitis B: 60 to 150 days

• Herpes: 2 to 12 days

• Human papillomavirus (HPV): 2 weeks to 8 months (or even years)

• Trichomoniasis: 5 to 28 days

If you’re concerned you may have come into contact with an STD, keep these incubation periods in mind so that you can monitor your own health and get tested, as needed.

How to get screened for STDS

If you’re concerned that you may have contracted an STD through sexual or non-sexual activity, it can be highly anxiety-provoking. You can give yourself peace of mind by getting an STD test. At Solv, we make STD testing easy and convenient. Use our STD finder tool to find an STD testing site near you.