Can I Contract An STD Without Penetrative Sex?
Many sexual acts besides penetrative sex, such as mutual masturbation, cunnilingus, anilingus, and fellatio, are pleasurable to many people. However, most people engaging in these sexual acts assume that they can’t contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through them.
The myth that only penetrative sex can expose you to STIs has resulted in many people exploring different pleasurable options thinking they are safe. Engaging in any sexual activity puts you at risk of contracting different STIs.
Below is expert information on how STIs can get transmitted without penetration into a hole and what you should know about STI testing. However, understanding what STIs and STDs are, is necessary.
STDs vs STIs
STIs and STDs refer to conditions that you can get through sex. Sexually transmitted infections are shortened as STIs, while sexually transmitted diseases are shortened as STDs.
These conditions transmitted through sex can only be referred to as STDs when advanced symptoms are present. At the same time,the infection is the medical term when symptoms aren’t present. But, many people use these terms interchangeably.
How can you contract an STD without penetrative sex?
The organisms that cause STIs are not only present in your holes (vagina, anus and mouth). Some of these microorganisms can thrive in bodily fluids, the skin and other internal organs. This makes contracting certain STIs through skin-to-skin contact or contact with bodily fluids possible.
The part of the skin of bodily fluid that transmits the STI usually depends on the STI and where it is located. Some STIs can also affect the entire body.
What sexual activities can transmit STIs?
STIs do not occur without contact with the causative microorganism. For an STI transmission, someone must have it and pass it to another person, and for anyone to transmit an STI, they will be positive for that STI. The sure way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.
Depending on the STI and its location, it can get transmitted during any sexual activity involving the following.
- Saliva, throat, lips or the mouth
- Breast milk or blood
- Penis, testicles, vulva, vaginal canal
- Perineum or anal entrance, or internal anal canal
- Anal secretions, semen, pre-ejaculation or vaginal fluid
This means that you can get an STI during these sexual acts.
- Oral-nipple stimulation
- Kissing
- Intercourse, including vaginal and anal intercourse
- Hand sex, including vulva stimulation, hand jobs, vaginal and anal fingering
- Oral sex, including rimming and giving head
- Any act involving blood from any part of the body, menstrual blood or lactation
What non-sexual acts can transmit STIs?
Any act that involves exposure to, swapping or ingesting bodily fluids may result in STI transmission.
- Giving birth
- Sharing needles
- Piercing or getting a tattoo
- Platonic mouth kissing
- Self-inoculation
- Chest feeding or breastfeeding
- Sharing uncleaned sex toys
- Blood transfusion
Most non-sexual acts people believe cause STI transmission, such as sharing a public pool or hot tub, do not have scientific backing. STIs do not thrive outside the mucosal membranes in the body for long, and chemicals in hot tubes and pools can kill the STI-causing organisms.
Can an STI remain dormant in the body before presenting symptoms later?
Understanding the concept of an STI being dormant in the body is important. The assumption that an STI will remain dormant in the body leads people to believe that they can have an STI without it affecting the body.
The better term is latent or asymptomatic. When an STI is asymptomatic, it means the STI is present but doesn’t show symptoms. Most STIs are asymptomatic, so you can have an STI without experiencing symptoms but still, transmit it to other people.
An STI can also be present without showing symptoms but continuously cause harm to your body. For example, you can have the human papillomavirus (HPV) and not experience symptoms. Still, the virus will cause cellular changes in the cervix.
You can have an STI and not show symptoms at first, and the symptoms will occur after a while. In some cases, STI detection won’t be possible because the STI hasn’t been in the body long enough for antibodies that the STI test can detect to develop.
How often do you need STD testing?
Health experts recommend STI testing at least once every year, but you can get tested before having sex with anew partner. This helps you know your current STI status and reduce the risk of transmitting STIs.
What is the incubation period of each STI?
The incubation period of an STI is between when someone gets the STI and when they test positive for the STI.
If you undergo STI testing during the incubation period, the test result will be negative. The incubation period differs for each STI, ranging from two days to three months. The table below shows the incubation period of different STIs.
| STI | Incubation period |
| Chlamydia | 7 – 21 days |
| Gonorrhoea | 1 – 14 days |
| Genital herpes | 2 – 12 days |
| HPV | 1 month – 10 years depending on the type |
| Hepatitis A | 15 – 50 days |
| Hepatitis B | 8 – 22 weeks |
| Hepatitis C | 2 – 26 weeks |
| HIV | 2 – 4 weeks |
| Syphilis | 3 weeks – 20 years, depending on the type |
| Oral herpes | 2 – 12 days |
| Trichomoniasis | 5 – 28 days |
If you have unprotected sex and get tested the next day, your result will be false. The test will only tell you if you got an STI before having sex the previous day, not if you got the STI from the recent exposure.
Health experts recommend STI testing about two weeks after having unprotected sex and another two weeks later. Note that unprotected sex refers to any sexual act without a barrier method, including having sex with an expired or broken condom.
What should I do if I’ve never screened for an STI?
If you haven’t had an STI screening and want to get the test, check for STI testing centres in your area and ensure they offer the STI tests you need. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask for the STI tests you need, especially if you want to get tested for anal or oral STIs.
For an STI tests, visit your nearest walk in std clinic in London today. You can also call us on 020 7183 0649 to book a confidential STI testing appointment.