Health: Ways You Can Get An STD Without Being Intimate

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Health classes usually do a good job of warning
students about the dangers of sexually
transmitted diseases. And while you may not
remember every single detail, it’s so important
that you know how to protect yourself.
Considering that STDs are, by definition, “sexually
transmitted,” it’s no surprise that unprotected
intimate intercourse is the most common way to
contract an STD. But what you might not know is
that it’s still possible to contract an STD even if
you have never Were Intimate or are not
currently sexually active. We’ve got the low down
on the more obscure ways that you could get an
STD and tips on how to stay clean.
1. Kissing
The danger of getting an STD might not be the
first thought that runs through your head when
you think about making out with that cute guy at
a party, but it is possible to get an STD just from
kissing. When someone has type 1 herpes (also
known as oral herpes), they carry it for life, says
Senior Physician at Boston University Dr. Mark
Weber. So even though the disease may not be
visibly showing, the danger of infection still exists.
However, the possibility of transmitting the
disease is much lower if there is not an outbreak
of sores. Dr. Weber says that another difficulty
with type 1 herpes is that many people carry the
disease without even knowing it.
Even though infection is sometimes possible
without visible symptoms, the best way to protect
yourself from getting infected by someone who
has type 1 herpes is to know how to recognize it.
A sore on someone’s lip that is made of small
clusters of fluid-filled blisters is an indication of
herpes, says Annabeth Elliott, the STD Program
Coordinator at the Idaho Department of Health.
She says that even if the cluster is red, crusted or
scabbed over and peeling, this is still a sign of the
disease.
The biggest danger of becoming infected comes
when there is a break in the skin that comes in
contact with sores. If you have chapped lips or
other breaks in the skin and you come in contact
with infected secretions, it is more likely that you
will get infected than if your skin is completely
intact. So if you are tempted to plant a kiss on
someone with these signs, think twice before you
do.
2. MouthAction
Although some people might not consider
MouthAction to actually be “sex” because it does
not involve womanly penetration, it can still lead
to the spread of STDs. Dr. Weber says that
MouthAction should still be considered as sex,
despite some misconceptions that many students
have, and it can lead to transmission of herpes,
chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other diseases. An
STD can be spread during MouthAction by
contact with infected secretions and surfaces on
the body. Dr. Weber emphasizes that although
condoms can reduce the spread of diseases, they
cannot always be sure to completely prevent
infection. But it is always safer to use condoms
during penile-MouthAction or dental dams for
oral-womanly sex.
“Avoiding sex when you have any breaks in the
skin or other involved bodily tissue which may
come in contact with another person can be
protective as well,” Dr. Weber says.
3. Dry Sex
Also described as body-to-body rubbing, Elliott
says that dry sex can spread herpes even though
there is no penetration or bodily fluids involved.
But the only way that herpes could be spread by
dry humping is if there is skin-to-skin contact,
which means that you are safe if clothes are kept
on. But if there is skin-to-skin contact, Dr. Weber
says that infectious material from warts (HPV) and
other viral or bacterial infection could be present.
The risk of transmission depends on the amount
of infection that someone has and the number
and severity of breaks in the skin. Dr. Weber also
warns about shaving “down there,” and how that
can increase the risk of infection as well.
“The popularity of shaving the hair in various
areas of the body including the Core area has the
potential to increase the transmission of infections
because of the risk of even small breaks in the
skin,” Weber says. “Stubble from hair growing
back can be very abrasive to the other person’s
skin, and the blade used can itself pick up
infectious material from one part of your skin and
spread it to another.” So keep this in mind during
your next down-there grooming sesh.
4. Indirect Contact
Even though a sexually transmitted disease or
infection usually implies an infection that is
transmitted through intimate contact, Dr. Weber
says that it is possible to get an STD in indirect
ways. One example is sitting on a toilet seat. Dr.
Weber says that while transmission of an STD
from sitting on a toilet seat is possible if there is
infectious material on the seat that comes in
contact with a break in the skin, it is pretty
unlikely. But, when in doubt, squat instead of sit
down on public toilets.
Another possible indirect way that STDs can be
spread is through a damp or moist object, such
as a towel, coming in contact with infected areas.
Elliott says that the disease Trichomoniasis, more
commonly known as Trich, is a parasite that can
live outside the body for up to 45 minutes. She
recommends that a way to prevent the possibility
of spreading diseases is by not sharing damp or
moist items like clothing or towels that touch
down below. And while some people might think
that you can get Trich from a hot tub, Elliott says
this is a myth because it would be too hot in this
environment for the parasites to live.
Dr. Weber also points out that sharing needles,
razors, or other cutting devices with someone
who has an STD can also spread diseases because
they are items that break skin contact and let the
infections into the body, so avoid sharing these
items at all to be safe.
How To Stay In The Clear
One of the easiest ways to protect yourself
against STDs is simply to know whether your
partner has been tested, if he has had other
partners since the last time he was tested, and
what his intimate relationships have been like in
the past. And by limiting the number of intimate
partners you have, you reduce the chances of
coming into contact with someone with an STD.
“It is important for each person to think about the
risks they are willing to take for intimacy and
sex,” Dr. Weber says.
Dr. Weber suggests that you can minimize the
potential of breaks in the skin by using lubricant
to cut down on friction, which can also reduce
direct skin-to-skin contact. By not combining
intimacy with mind-altering substances, like
alcohol and drugs, you can be in your best state
of mind to use the best protection on a consistent
basis. And make sure to always have protection
available so that you’re not left scrambling or
making rash decisions when things start to get
hot and heavy.. HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST STDS

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