A person can get an STD without having sex, as the virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact or through body fluids.
Anyone of any age, race or sexual orientation can get sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Unsafe sex such as not using condoms, having multiple sexual partners... are risk factors for STIs such as gonorrhea, syphilis, scabies, genital herpes, genital warts, HIV, chlamydia, cervical cancer, throat cancer...
Abstinence is the only perfect way to prevent STIs. However, there are still cases of sexually transmitted diseases without having intercourse. According to Dr. Dang Thi Ngoc Bich, a specialist in Dermatology - Skin Aesthetics, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, the reason is because infectious agents do not only reside in the mouth, anus or genitals. They can live in or on any layer of skin or in body fluids.
Certain sexually transmitted disease viruses can be spread any time there is skin-to-skin contact, contact with bodily fluids, or sharing towels, underwear, sex toys, etc. Which skin or bodily fluid can be transmitted depends on the specific disease and the location of the outbreak.
STIs can be transmitted during any sexual activity that involves the following: Mouth, lips, throat, or saliva; blood or breast milk; vaginal fluids, pre-ejaculate fluids, semen, or anal secretions; anal...
That means that in theory, STIs can be transmitted in any sexual behavior including: kissing, oral sex, anal sex, even manual sex... In addition, swallowing or coming into contact with body fluids containing the virus can lead to sexually transmitted infections such as tattoos or piercings; sharing unsanitized sex toys; blood transfusions; sharing needles...
Some sexually transmitted viruses can be spread through skin-to-skin contact, bodily fluids or sharing items with an infected person. Photo: Freepik
However, Dr. Bich also noted that most risks of non-sexual STI transmission, such as transmission from public toilets, hot tubs or public swimming pools, have no scientific basis.
"Sexually transmitted viruses generally cannot survive outside the body's mucous membranes for long periods of time. All chemicals in swimming pools and hot tubs kill all infectious agents," said Dr. Bich.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most sexually transmitted infections are asymptomatic in their early stages. This means that many people have STIs without knowing it. However, that does not mean that the disease is not affecting their health and that even if they do not have symptoms, they can still pass the disease on to others.
There is currently no test that can detect STIs immediately after exposure to the pathogen, as viruses, bacteria, and parasites must survive long enough for the body to develop antibodies. The incubation period for each STI is different, ranging from 2 days to 3 months.
Therefore, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that sexually active people get tested at least once a year. Especially before starting sex, people should get tested to know their current STI status and reduce the risk of transmission. If you have had unprotected sex, you should get tested after 2 weeks and then again 2 weeks later.
To have safer sex and reduce the risk of STIs, Dr. Bich recommends that people should clearly share their sexual history with their partners before having sex; regularly check for sexually transmitted diseases, especially if they have a new or multiple sexual partners, and suggest that their partners do the same.
Use condoms correctly during vaginal, anal, and oral sex to help prevent sexually transmitted infections that are spread through fluids. Also, be up-to-date on vaccinations against HPV and hepatitis B.
Some STIs are incurable and can even be life-threatening. Therefore, the best way to prevent the disease is to get regular screening and practice safer sex. If you test positive for any STIs, you need to treat them as soon as possible to avoid health complications. During treatment, you need to follow your doctor's instructions and avoid sex until the disease is completely cured to avoid infecting your partner and making the infection worse.
Mr. Ngoc
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