Ways You Can Get a STD That Doesn’t Involve a Sexual Intercourse

Everybody knows what the “S” in STD stands for, right? True to its name, the vast majority of sexually transmitted diseases stem from sexual contact, but do you know that there are non-sexual behaviors that can carry risks too?

While a lot of people believe in the myth that they can get herpes from a hot tub or hotel sheets or toilet seats, but the fact is some of these other bugs don’t live on surfaces. As a matter of fact, unlike cold and flu germs, most STD viruses “die immediately” once they leave the human body.

For that reason, your risk of contracting an STD outside the bedroom is low. But it’s not non-existent. Here are all the ways you could end up with an STD that isn’t penetrative sex.

Kissing
While herpes simplex 1 (oral herpes) is not strictly considered an STD, it can and is oftentimes passed via kissing. If both you and your smooching partner have open cuts or sores around your mouths, that increases the chances of you being potentially exposed to other STDs.

Sharing Razors
Blood-borne STD pathogens including the HIV and hepatitis C virus can be transmitted via razor. While it is extremely rare, it is something that is worth keeping in mind if you ever think to borrow a friends shaving stick.

Unregulated Tattoos
While a lot of modern tattoo parlours follow proper health regulations, that doesn’t reduce your risk of contracting an STD. If you are getting inked by a friend or at an “unregulated” tattoo shop where needles are reused, you’re at risk for hepatitis C and HIV.

Sharing Needles
Intravenous drug users or anyone who shares needles is at risk of contracting STIs that are even beyond HIV or hepatitis C. A recent study conducted by the University of Florida found injection drug users may be almost twice as likely to contract an STD than people who don’t use these drugs.

According to the study, those who share needles tend to be bigger sexual risk-takers and have links to high-risk networks, which gives them a greater chance of sex with an infected partner. This, in turn, increases their overall STD risk and their risk for HIV infection.