Can You Catch an STI or STD Without Sex?

November 26, 2024

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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are most commonly spread through sexual contact. Some of the STIs that are diagnosed most often in the United States are chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Other sexually transmitted infections include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and trichomoniasis. Left untreated, sexually transmitted infections can lead to serious complications including increased cancer risk, infertility, and chronic pain.

Patients often ask, "Can you get an STD without having sex?" These infections are almost always spread through sexual contact, but there are some exceptions. The more you know about the spread of infection, the more power you have to protect yourself.

How are STIs and STDs Spread?

It is remarkably easy to catch and spread an STI. Approximately 68 million Americans have an STI, which means when you look around, one out of five people around you is likely to have a sexually transmitted infection. While this means you aren't alone if you've contracted an infection, it also means the risk of getting an infection is high.

STIs and STDs are typically spread through blood and bodily fluids like semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva. Any activity that involves the exchange of these fluids can put you at risk of infection, including kissing and sharing food. However, in the vast majority of cases, these infections are spread through vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex or sexual touching.

Can You Get an STI Without Having Sex?

Although you can contract a sexually transmitted infection without having sexual intercourse, it is rare to contract a disease without some form of sexual contact. Although you can contract a sexually transmitted infection without having sexual intercourse, it is rare to contract a disease without some form of sexual contact. In the vast majority of cases, diseases are spread through vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, or another form of oral or genital contact.

Sexually transmitted diseases can be spread without any sexual contact at all, although this is very rare. Herpes Simplex I - the virus responsible for cold sores - is not considered an STI but can be spread through kissing and then, through oral sex, be spread to the genitals. Additionally, mononucleosis, which is not an STI, can be spread through kissing.

What are the Most Common Ways STIs/STDs Spread Without Sex?

Some of the ways you can catch an STI or STD without sexual intercourse include:

through sexual contact, or touching an infected partner's penis, vagina, anus, mouth, or open sore
through oral sex, where the infection is spread from mouth to genitals or vice versa - from genitals to mouth
through kissing, especially if both parties have sores in their mouth or bleeding gums
through infected fabrics; pubic lice can be spread through infested linens and towels, and trichomoniasis can live on damp fabrics for up to an hour
through contaminated foods; any infection spread through the oral-fecal route - like Hepatitis A - can be spread through both sexual contact and contaminated food
by sharing needles or syringes; infections that are spread through blood, like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, can be contracted by sharing needles

Because it is not only possible but likely to have a sexually transmitted infection without symptoms, routine screening is important for people who are sexually active. Those at the highest risk of contracting an infection should be screened more often.

Prevention Methods

Because STIs can lead to lasting and serious consequences, knowing how to prevent them is critical in protecting your health and wellness. The vast majority of sexually transmitted infections are spread through unprotected sexual contact. These steps can reduce your risk.

Always use condoms. Using a barrier like condoms and dental dams is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease. SEE CDC.GOV: Condom Use: An Overview

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Get tested regularly. You can have a sexually transmitted infection without experiencing any noticeable symptoms and then spread the infection to others. Likewise, your partner can have an STI without symptoms and spread it to you. Routine STI testing is the best way to detect and treat infections early, limiting their spread. Willow Womens Center offers free testing.
Engage in discussion about your status. Before you engage in sexual activity with a new partner, ask how recently they've been tested and share your own status or test results. Talk about your expectations for prevention. Transparent dialogue promotes disease prevention.
Stay up to date on vaccinations. There are vaccines available and recommended for HPV and Hepatitis B. Getting vaccinated according to the recommended schedule can help protect you.
Wash your hands after using the restroom. Because diseases that are spread through the anal-oral route can be spread through contaminated food, it is important to wash your hands after using the restroom and especially before touching your mouth, eating, smoking, or preparing food.

You can take the first step toward protecting your health and future fertility by scheduling an appointment for STI screening today. While the thought of screening might feel daunting, most diseases can be detected by testing your urine.

The CDC provides recommendations for STI screening:

Yearly gonorrhea and chlamydia screening for all women under 25 who are sexually active
Yearly gonorrhea and chlamydia testing for women under 25 who have multiple partners, who have changed sexual partners, or who have had a partner who was diagnosed with an STI
Testing for syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV during early pregnancy for all pregnant women

The team here at Willow Womens Center is committed to providing accurate STI testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea without judgment. When you schedule free STI screening, we'll collect your urine sample, share the results with you, prescribe treatment, or refer you to someone who can answer your questions. Give us a call today at 608.312.2025 to schedule.