Health

6 Ways You Can Get an STD—That Aren’t Sex

You probably know the “S” in STD stands for sexually—and most sexually transmitted diseases are, unsurprisingly, spread through sexual contact. But that’s not the only way you can get one.

“People constantly ask me if they can catch herpes from hot tubs, hotel sheets, or toilet seats,” says Christine Johnston, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and associate professor at the University of Washington. “But herpes and many other STDs don’t survive on surfaces.”

Unlike cold or flu viruses, most STD-causing pathogens die quickly once outside the body. So while your risk of picking up an STD without sexual contact is low, it’s not zero.

Here are some lesser-known ways you can contract an STD—without having penetrative sex.

1. Oral Sex

“Oral sex is sex,” says Johnston. STDs like herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia can all be transmitted this way—whether you’re giving or receiving.

According to the CDC, while the risk of getting HIV from oral sex is much lower than from vaginal or anal sex, it’s not impossible. Using condoms or dental dams offers strong protection.

2. Sharing Razors

Razors can carry microscopic traces of blood, making them a potential (though rare) way to transmit bloodborne infections like HIV or hepatitis C. “It’s extremely rare,” Johnston notes—but still a good reason not to borrow your buddy’s razor.

3. Unregulated Tattoos

Most licensed tattoo parlors follow strict hygiene rules. But if you’re getting inked in a non-professional setting—where needles might be reused—you’re at risk for infections like hepatitis C and HIV, Johnston warns.

4. Sharing Needles

This is one of the most high-risk behaviors outside of sex. People who inject drugs and share needles are not only at increased risk for HIV and hepatitis C, but also tend to engage in other risky sexual behaviors. One study from the University of Florida found that injection drug users were nearly twice as likely to contract STDs compared to non-users.

5. Kissing

While not usually labeled an STD, oral herpes (HSV-1) is commonly spread through kissing. “If either person has an open sore or cut around the mouth, there’s a potential—though small—risk of transmitting other infections as well,” says Dr. Khalil Ghanem, M.D., Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins.

6. Dry Humping (Skin-to-Skin Contact)

Even if there’s no penetration, rubbing bare genitals together—especially if one partner has a visible sore—can still spread infections like herpes or syphilis. For example, contact with an exposed syphilis lesion through underwear could still result in transmission, according to the CDC.

Bottom Line

While penetrative sex is the most common route for STDs, it’s not the only one. Anytime bodily fluids or open sores come into contact—whether through oral sex, needles, or even intimate skin-to-skin contact—there’s some level of risk.

Taking precautions like using protection, avoiding shared personal items, and staying up to date on testing can go a long way in protecting your health.

What do you think about this article? Please share it and comment.

You would like to publish an article with us? Please contact us.