Do you know you can contract STDs without sexual intercourse? Some people have practiced abstinence from sex and, along the way, got infected with an STD and wondered what happened. You need to know that you can contract STDs without sexual intercourse. I will show you 10 ways to get STDs without sexual intercourse in this article.

What is STD?

A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection that’s spread from person to person through sexual contact. STDs can be passed from one person to another even if they don’t have intercourse or other sexual activities. You can get an STD even if you have only mild symptoms. Some STDs (such as HIV) can increase your risk of getting certain cancers.

STDs can be dangerous as they can lead to other diseases such as blindness (for instance, Gonorrhea) and infertility and increase your risk of certain cancers (HIV) and even death. Some are curable (syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia), while some are terminal (hepatitis B, HIV, Herpes, and Human

Papillomavirus)

10 Ways To Get STD Without Sexual Intercourse

1. Unprotected oral sex

Some STDs, like syphilis, herpes, and HPV (genital warts), can be spread through unprotected oral sex. Oral sex is any type of sexual activity where your mouth comes into contact with another person’s genitals or anus (back passage). If you do not use a dental dam during oral sex, you could contract an STD. Dental dams are thin squares of latex that you place over the vagina or anus before performing oral sex so that no fluids pass between the two partners during oral sex. It is important to note that some people have trouble finding dental dams at their local pharmacy or supermarket because they are not stocked in most stores — they must be ordered online or purchased from a specialty store that carries them.

  2. Sharing needles

Sharing needles is the most common way to contract an STD without sexual intercourse, but it’s also the most preventable. Unfortunately, many people still don’t know how dangerous this practice is. Avoid sharing or borrowing needles.

Clean it thoroughly with methylated spirit fluid if you use a borrowed needle.

Also, sharing needles for intravenous drug use can be very dangerous. Intravenous drug use puts people at risk for hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS because they share needles when injecting drugs into their veins instead of using sterile syringes from a pharmacy

 3.   Sharing razors or toothbrushes

This method of transmission isn’t as common than needle sharing, but it does occur more than you think. Use your razor and toothbrush when possible, or at least ensure that no one else has used them before you use them yourself.

 4. Kissing someone with an open sore or wound in their mouth

While kissing someone with a cold sore may not seem like a big deal at first glance, it is a huge risk factor for transmitting herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This virus can cause oral herpes sores on the lips and around the mouth area — which may be painful and uncomfortable — but it also has no symptoms in some infected people!

5. Sharing needles for tattoos and body piercings

You should know what needles are used for body piercings and tattoos at your local parlor or studio. If you need to know what type of needles are used for piercings or tattoos at your local parlor or studio, ask about them before you get one done! If the person is piercing, you need to know what type of needle was used for their tattoo or piercing, and it might be time to find another place to get yours done!

6. Sharing sex toys

When an infected person uses a sex toy and is used by another person without being properly cured, it might lead to the passage of STDs to the uninfected person. Sex toys must be cleaned after each use, especially if they are shared between partners with different sexual health histories or those who have had unprotected intercourse with another partner during their relationship with you. If possible, avoid sharing sex toys.

7. Through blood transfusion

You can contract STDs such as HIV or hepatitis through a contaminated blood transfusion. If the blood is contaminated, you get the disease immediately when it is infused into your body. This is why in most countries, there are regulations guiding donors. Donors have to be extensively screened before their blood can be collected.

8. Touching your eye during sexual activity

Suppose you come into contact with a sexual fluid on your fingertips during foreplay and mistakenly touch your eyeball with it; there is a possibility that you can contract STDs such as gonorrhea, herpes, or chlamydia.

9. Touching an infected area

Another way to get an STD is by touching an infected area — like a sore, blister, or rash — and then touching your own eyes, mouth, or genitals. This is why you must be careful when a partner has an open sore unless you trust the partner is safe.

10. Mother to Child

This can occur in the womb and during the lactation period. There is a high possibility that an HIV-positive mother will give birth to an HIV-positive baby if proper medical precautions are not being observed. HIV-positive mothers are encouraged to take special treatment and precautions during pregnancy and breastfeeding to avoid any occurrence.

How To Know Your STDs Status

If you are concerned about your STD status and that of your partner, you can visit a licensed lab and get screened. Most times, these STDs don’t appear immediately. Their symptoms become evident after the incubation period. So the next question should be the incubation period for each STD.

What Is The Incubation Period For STDs?

The incubation period refers to the time between an STD-infected person’s infection and the time they begin to show the symptoms. Below is the breakdown of the incubation period of STDs.

• Gonorrhea: 1 to 14 days
• Hepatitis B: 60 to 150 days
• Syphilis: 2 to 12 weeks (or even years)
• Hepatitis C: 2 to 26 weeks
• Herpes: 2 to 12 days
• Human papillomavirus (HPV): 2 weeks to 8 months (it can extend to years)
• Trichomoniasis: 5 to 28 days
• HIV: 2 to 4 weeks
• Chlamydia: 7 to 20 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 health and get tested as needed.

Can You Contract STDS From Bathing Water

You cannot contract STDs from bathing water. However, you can risk getting an STD if you engage in intimate sexual activity in the bathtub. This might contaminate the water and get into your body through your organ’s opening.

What is the Best Way to Prevent STDs?

When I was younger, I was taught the acronym for STD prevention, and they are ABC. A stands for “abstinence,” B stands for “be faithful,” and C stands for “use condoms well.” This ABC acronym and adherence to the above tips are the best way to prevent STDs.

Conclusion

Contacting an STD isn’t a death sentence. They are people living perfectly normal lives with STDs, even terminal ones. Begin treatment immediately if you find that you are positive for an STD. During this process, ensure you maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid unhealthy practices such as smoking, drinking, or junking.