Did You Know That Unprotected Sex Isn’t The Only Way You Can Get An STD?

India is a culturally rich country where sex and condoms are considered a taboo topic. We’re too afraid to talk about sex because our sanskaars have taught us that intercourse is only a filthy thing that firangis do. With this ignorance about one of the favourite Indian past-times, we don’t talk about the health complications that come along with half-baked knowledge. Sexually transmitted diseases are on a rise but the sheer amount of myths and confusion around the entire topic is worrying to say the least.

There are a lot of STDs that are capable of transmitting without actual penetration (or intercourse). Here are how these STDs transmit:

1. You can get Herpes and AIDS by kissing an infected person

Yes, you can get herpes just from kissing someone on the mouth. And while experts believe the risk of catching HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) from kissing is low, someone who has a cut or sore in the mouth has a chance of infection during open-mouthed kissing.

2. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia can be transmitted by oral sex

Gonorrhea or chlamydia usually infects the genitals of both men and women, but they can also infect the rectum, eyes, and back of the throat. Contrary to popular belief, transmission of gonorrhea or chlamydia by simple kissing has never been documented. If it happens, it is too rare to matter. The bacterium that causes gonorrhea or chlamydia requires very specific conditions for growth and reproduction.

3. HIV can theoretically be spread through saliva

Although it is possible to detect HIV in urine and saliva, the level of virus isn’t too high to cause some actual threat. But if the saliva has blood in it, from cuts in the mouth for example, then this can make infection possible. Gums sometimes bleed after you brush your teeth, so try to avoid brushing or flossing your teeth immediately before or after oral sex. Also sharing the same tooth-brush or food items might just cause certain STDs.

4. Dry Humping/Sex is as safe as you’d imagine

Also described as body-to-body rubbing, dry sex can spread herpes even though there is no penetration or bodily fluids involved. But the only way that herpes could be spread by dry humping is if there is skin-to-skin contact, which means that you are safe if clothes are kept on.

5. Sharing lip balms/cigarettes can sneak STDs into your system

Herpes can easily break into your system if you share a lip-balm or a cigarette with an infected person. Now think twice before sharing these two items.

6. Moist towels are the breeding ground for viruses and bacteria

Moist towels are the hot-beds for viruses and bacteria. When someone uses a towel, they transfer their germs into it. With the moisture around, the organisms get a habitable surrounding.

7. Toilet seats are a major source of infections

Toilet seats can cause infection if there’s a scratch or a cut in the skin of the genital region. That gives the bacteria a way to get inside the human body.

8. Using someone else’s razor blades is extremely dangerous

Razor blades can often cause minor cuts in the skin and with multiple people using a single razor blade, it’s highly likely that there will some transmission of bacteria and viruses.

9. Brazilian waxing puts you at risk of an STD

Brazilian waxing has to be done with a lot of care because it caters to the nether region. If there isn’t enough hygiene maintained or if they use the same stick again, there are high chances of you contracting the disease.