{"id":5574,"date":"2025-07-11T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/?p=5574"},"modified":"2025-08-20T14:44:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T14:44:07","slug":"7-ways-you-can-catch-an-sti-without-having-sex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/7-ways-you-can-catch-an-sti-without-having-sex\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways You Can Catch an STI Without Having Sex"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

All sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed on through sexual intercourse, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes and no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst most STIs pass mainly through penetrative sex, like vaginal sex and anal sex, there are other ways in which these infections can be passed that you should be aware of. No matter what sexual activity transmits the infection, it will have the same consequences if left untreated.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to find out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Protect your sexual health with one of Better2Know’s comprehensive STI screens.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Get tested<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Can you get an STI without having sex?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The more clued up you are about how infections can be contracted, the easier it is to know how to take care of your sexual health and keep yourself safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kissing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Simple skin to skin contact can be enough to transmit some STIs. And kissing is no exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lots of people catch Oral Herpes from kissing. People with Oral Herpes often develop cold sores around their mouth, which can spread the infection. The virus hunkers down in the nerve endings around your jaw, occasionally migrating to the surface of the skin, creating sores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some data<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>also suggest that kissing can be a mode of transmission for Gonorrhoea, primarily between men who have sex with men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oral sex<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Oral sex is, of course, a form of sexual contact. Because of this, it poses a higher risk of transmitting an infection. That’s because bacteria and viruses can penetrate the mucous membrane in the back of your throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chlamydia<\/strong><\/a> and Gonorrhoea<\/strong><\/a> can easily be transmitted in this way. When you perform oral sex on someone with a bacterial infection in their genitals, infected bodily fluids transfer from the genitals to the mouth, thus creating the infection. An oral-to-genital infection, though, is incredibly rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Syphilis<\/strong><\/a> can also be transmitted from contact with an infectious chancre (Syphilis sores). However, the transmissions of Syphilis in oral sex more frequently pass the other way, when someone has a Syphilis infection in their mouth or throat performs oral sex. Using a condom during oral sex can help prevent catching STIs, but it will not provide complete protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharing toothbrushes, razors, or needles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blood borne infections can spread by sharing objects which can cut the skin, with someone who is infected. This includes HIV<\/strong><\/a>, Hepatitis B<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> and Hepatitis C<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To minimise the risk, you should always avoid using another person\u2019s toothbrush or razor and never share needles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n