Many young people, when approaching the time of their first sexual intercourse, are afraid of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, so they tend to take extra precautions, which usually boil down, at least initially, to the use of condoms.
When the relationship has progressed a little further, they may consider using another method of contraception or try not using a condom at all. This is when questions may arise such as “can I get an STI without having had sex”, i.e., by being sexually active.
Unfortunately, this possibility does exist. If you want to know more, in this unCOMO article we will answer your question about whether you can get an STI while you are a virgin by telling you about some cases where this has happened.
What is an STD and how is it transmitted?
STDs are sexually transmitted diseases, also called sexually transmitted infections, which means that they are infections and/or diseases that are spread during sexual intercourse. It is said that a sexually transmitted disease can only occur with unprotected penetration, but this is not the case.
Many STDs are transmitted due to misinformation, as not everyone knows that some STDs can also be transmitted through saliva or genital rubbing. In this other article you can see What are the most common sexually transmitted diseases.
STDs from genital rubbing
You don’t have to have sex to get an STD. For example, simple foreplay, such as rubbing genitals, can transmit diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or AIDS, either through pre-seminal fluid from the penis or through the woman’s vaginal fluids.
It should be borne in mind that both pre-seminal fluid and vaginal fluid contain viruses, bacteria and fungi, so penetration is not necessary to contract a sexually transmitted disease.
If you think you may have contracted an STD from rubbing your genitals, it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible, as this will prevent the infection from progressing and the situation from becoming irreparable.
Can I get chlamydia without having sex?
The answer is yes. In fact, you can get chlamydia in a bath, for example. Chlamydia is a fungus that usually settles on the vaginal walls or on the penis, so if you go to a public place with water, such as a hotel jacuzzi, for example, there is a chance that you could get chlamydia if the place is not hygienic.
However, despite this possibility, it is very unlikely that you will get an STI in a public bath. It is true that public toilets are full of germs because of the number of people passing through them. intercours
However, the bacteria that cause STDs cannot live for long outside a person’s body, and it would require direct contact with the secretions of an infected person, so it would be unlikely to get chlamydia in the toilet.
Syphilis without sexual intercourse
Yes, it is also possible to get syphilis as a virgin. The spread of syphilis has increased dramatically in recent years. Among other things, syphilis can be transmitted by kissing. Syphilis is a highly infectious and dangerous disease that can cause irreparable damage to areas such as the brain, nerves and body tissue.
Syphilis can be easily spread by direct contact with a sore on the other person’s anus, vagina, penis, lips or mouth. In fact, it can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, so someone could get syphilis as a virgin.
AIDS without having had sex
This is also possible, and is more common than you might think. If the mother is HIV-positive, she may have transmitted HIV to her child during pregnancy, during childbirth or during breastfeeding.
The same can happen if you ever, while walking down the street, in the woods, on the beach or elsewhere, stick yourself with something that has come into contact with the blood of someone with HIV, such as a needle. In that case you should go to a doctor as soon as you realise it. Sometimes you can also get AIDS from kissing someone, as you can see in this other article here on Can you get AIDS from saliva?
Therefore, before having unprotected sex with your partner, it is best that you both get tested to make sure you don’t have any sexually transmitted diseases.
How long does it take for an STD to manifest itself?
Depending on the type of STD, it can take from days to years to become apparent. The best thing to do is to see a doctor as soon as possible if you feel anything unusual after sex, because some diseases, such as AIDS, can be cured or stopped if you see a doctor quickly.
It is also possible that an STI may be manifesting itself without you realising it, so it is important to be aware of any changes in your body. If you need help, you may find this other article on How sexually transmitted diseases manifest themselves useful.
STDs without a cure
Unfortunately, not all STDs can be cured, including the following:
-AIDS;
-Human Papilloma Virus (HPV);
-Genital herpes;
-Hepatitis B and C.
However, in the case of hepatitis, there is now a treatment, although it is so new that not everyone is aware of it. The same goes for HIV, although if you have already developed AIDS, there is nothing to be done. For all these reasons, it is very important that you take special care in your relationships.
Now that you know the answer to Can I get an STI without having had sex, you may also be interested in this other article on What to do if you get AIDS