Many people assume that being a virgin protects you from the risks associated with having sex. While this may be true for things like pregnancy, it is not necessarily the case for sexually transmitted infections.
Here, we’ll talk about what you need to worry about if you are a virgin and are concerned about STIs.
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Misconceptions of virginity
If you’re asking whether virgins can have STIs, we have to start by asking what a “virgin” actually is.
In general, a virgin is someone who has not engaged in vaginal or anal penetrative sex. However, someone’s idea of virginity can change depending on their culture, social practices, and personal beliefs.
In some cultures, a virgin is someone who has not engaged in any sexual activity whatsoever.
In other cultures, someone can still engage in sexual activities like oral sex, mutual masturbation, or skin-to-skin genital contact and still be considered a virgin.
The idea of virginity can become even more complex when dealing with non-heterosexual encounters and relationships.
There are many variables to consider when we think about the relationship between virginity and the risk factors involved in transmitting an STI. However, the bottom line is: just because someone considers themselves a virgin does not mean they are free of STIs.
An overview of STIs
When most people think of STIs, they think of infections they can only get during sex.
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This is incorrect.
An STI is, at the end of the day, an infection. Sure, their primary mode of transmission may be sex, but it is very common for many STIs to be transmitted non-sexually.
In this way, thinking about STIs only in terms of diseases you can get during sex can be limiting and potentially dangerous. Just because you don’t have sex doesn’t mean you can’t have an STI.
How you can get an STI without sexual intercourse
Though most STIs are transmitted through vaginal sex and anal sex, you can also get many STIs from:
- Deep kissing
- Oral sex
- Heavy petting
- Genital-to-genital contact
- Blood transfusions
- Sharing toothbrushes, razors, and needles
STIs you can get without sexual intercourse
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is very easily transmitted through oral sex and by sharing sex toys that have not been properly sterilised between uses.
Gonorrhoea
Like Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea can be very easily passed on through oral sex and by sharing sex toys. It is also possible to get an Oral Gonorrhoea infection through deep kissing with another person who also has an Oral Gonorrhoea infection.
Trichomonas
Trichomonas can be spread by sharing sex toys. One study from Zambia found that it may also be possible for Trichomonas to spread through shared bathing water.
Scabies
You can get a Scabies infection through prolonged acts of touch, such as hugging or holding hands. Though uncommon, sharing things like clothes and bedding may also transmit this infection.
Herpes
You can get a Herpes infection if you have direct contact with:
- A Herpes sore
- Saliva from someone with an Oral Herpes infection
- Genital fluids from someone with a Genital Herpes infection
- Skin around the mouth of someone who has Oral Herpes
- Skin around the genitals of someone who has Genital Herpes
- Sharing sex toys with someone who has Genital Herpes
Genital Warts
The human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes Genital Warts can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact or through oral sex.
HIV
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HIV can be transmitted by exchanging certain bodily fluids, such as semen, precum, vaginal fluids, blood, breast milk, and mucus found in the rectum.
HIV can be spread by:
- Sharing needles, syringes, and other drug injection equipment
- Oral sex (more likely if one or both parties have oral ulcers, bleeding gums, or genital sores)
- Blood transfusions
- Kissing (if both partners have sores or bleeding gums)
- Getting tattoos or piercings with unsterilised equipment
Syphilis
You can get Syphilis by performing oral sex on someone with a Syphilitic sore on their genitals.
You can also get Syphilis through an infected blood transfusion, sharing infected needles, and sharing sex toys.
Hepatitis
You can get Hepatitis A from contaminated food and water, which can then be passed on to other people through sex. You can also get it through blood transfusions or skin-to-skin contact.
Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood transfusions and by sharing needles. The virus can also be present in saliva, vaginal secretions, and other bodily fluids. In this way, it is possible to get Hepatitis B from oral sex.
Hepatitis C is commonly transmitted by sharing needles and blood transfusions.
It is also possible to get any Hepatitis infection by sharing razor blades and toothbrushes or getting tattoos with contaminated equipment.
Final thoughts
You don’t have to have sex to get an STI – even a virgin can have one, or several.
Getting tested is important if you think you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection. Book an appointment at an STI clinic near you.
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