{"id":32966,"date":"2024-10-31T16:28:37","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T20:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/?p=32966"},"modified":"2025-01-15T09:11:25","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T14:11:25","slug":"can-you-have-an-sti-if-youve-never-been-sexually-active","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/can-you-have-an-sti-if-youve-never-been-sexually-active\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Have an STI if You\u2019ve Never Been Sexually Active?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), most people assume that sexual activity is the only way they can be contracted. However, the reality is more nuanced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexually transmitted infections are a public health concern in Canada \u2014 rates have been increasing steadily <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/infectious-diseases\/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections\/canadian-guidelines\/stbbi-prevention-guide.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for decades<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. STIs can cause a variety of symptoms and lead to pregnancy complications, infertility, cancer, and other serious health problems. It\u2019s important to note that STIs were commonly known as a sexually transmitted disease (STD), but the name was changed to infection to reduce stigma and account for the fact that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/health-canada\/services\/health-concerns\/diseases-conditions\/sexually-transmitted-infections.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">many infections are asymptomatic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and not all infections lead to disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on its name, it\u2019s easy to assume that STIs can only be transmitted sexually. While sexual contact is the primary method of transmission, STIs can also be spread through non-sexual means. Understanding these different pathways is crucial for protecting yourself and others.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Sexual ways to contract an STI\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most commonly, STIs <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/publications\/diseases-conditions\/booklet-sexually-transmitted-infections.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are transmitted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through vaginal, oral, and anal sex by someone who is STI-positive. But they can be spread through non-sexual ways too, such as from person to person by kissing or engaging in skin-to-skin touching and through contact with bodily fluids, like semen, saliva, vaginal secretions, breast milk, and blood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s easy to unknowingly transmit an STI to another person since many STIs don\u2019t come with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/publications\/diseases-conditions\/booklet-sexually-transmitted-infections.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">obvious symptoms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to get tested regularly and practice safe sex (such as always using condoms or dental dams).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary, STIs can be transmitted through any sexual activity that includes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mouth, lips, throat, or saliva<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-ejaculation (pre-cum), semen, vaginal fluid, anal secretions, blood or breast milk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vaginal canal, vulva, penis, or testicles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The internal anal canal, anal entrance, or perineum<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, sexual acts that can transmit an STI can include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kissing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral-nipple stimulation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral sex<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intercourse, including anal and vaginal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hand sex, including anal fingering, vaginal fingering, vulva stimulation, and hand jobs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Non-sexual ways to contract STIs<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a few myths about the non-sexual ways you can contract an STI. Ever heard that you can get one by sitting on a public toilet seat? Or soaking in a hot tub? Those ideas aren\u2019t based on science, and therefore, they aren\u2019t something you need to worry about. In fact, STIs can\u2019t exist outside the body\u2019s mucosal membranes for very long.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, STIs <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> spread through non-sexual activities by getting into contact with bodily fluids, including semen, saliva, vaginal secretions, breast milk, and blood. For example, you could get an STI by:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sharing personal items like razors and towels<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Bloodborne infections like HIV and hepatitis B and C can be transmitted by using a contaminated toothbrush or razor if blood is present<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sharing unwashed sex toys<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: STIs that can be spread through toys include chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, herpes, and the HPV (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">human papillomavirus)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Blood transfusions or contaminated needles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: A person infected with a bloodborne STI like HIV (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">human immunodeficiency virus)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or hepatitis could transmit it to others through shared blood or needles. In Canada, all blood donations are tested for HIV and hepatitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Getting a tattoo or piercing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: An infected person\u2019s blood could be spread to others using shared supplies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Skin-to-skin contact with open sores or lesions<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Exchange or contact with body fluids including platonic mouth kissing: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An infected person\u2019s bodily fluids could be spread to another<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Breastfeeding and giving birth<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: An infected mother could pass some infections to her child.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Self-inoculation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Touching your eyes, nose or mouth can transmit viruses to other parts of your body.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eating contaminated food: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since Hepatitis A is passed through the fecal-oral route, someone can transmit the infection if they don\u2019t wash their hands after using the washroom.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Touching contaminated fabric:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Trichomonas vaginalis can live on damp fabrics for an hour, and pubic lice [crabs] can be spread through shared material goods like bedding or towels.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Preventative Measures<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oftentimes, people don\u2019t know they\u2019ve contracted an STI and therefore don\u2019t know they\u2019re at risk of spreading it. And it\u2019s understandable \u2014 many STIs don\u2019t cause any symptoms, so it\u2019s easy to not realize you have an infection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s why regular STI screenings are so important. According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/infectious-diseases\/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections\/canadian-guidelines.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public Health Agency of Canada<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s important to get tested every year or more if:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have a new sexual partner<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have any bumps, discharge, rashes, or other changes to your body<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You or your partners are having sex with other people<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You had sex with someone who has an STI\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You didn\u2019t use a condom or the condom broke<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To limit your chances of contracting an STI, you can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abstain from sexual activity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limit your number of sexual partners\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limit sexual activity to a monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engage in open communication with your sexual partner(s) and get tested together<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use physical barriers such as condoms and dental dams\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid sharing medical equipment and personal items (including toothbrushes, towels, razors, needles and syringes)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clean sex toys properly after every use<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash your hands after sexual activity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also get the HPV vaccine. The 9vHPV vaccine is recommended for Canadians between the ages of 9 and 26 and can be given to those 27 and older who are at risk of exposure to HPV. It protects against nine types of HPV that can cause various types of cancer and genital warts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is that contracting an STI through nonsexual behaviours is rare \u2014 for example, it equates to less than 1% of bloodborne STI transmissions. Those <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/std-without-having-sex-5425604\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most at-risk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of contracting an STI in a non-sexual setting are babies (from an infected mother), people sharing drug injection equipment and people in a situation where they have direct exposure to the bodily fluids of an infected person.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>When to seek medical advice<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to stay safe is to practice safe sex and to be on top of your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/sti\/prevention\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STI status<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. When in doubt, and definitely once a year, ask your healthcare provider to test you, or pop into a clinic. Request testing for any or all infections, or give your healthcare provider a run-down on your sexual history and they may recommend the best tests for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many STIs can be diagnosed quickly and treated easily \u2014 and you definitely want to catch one before you spread it to others, and before it causes you any serious health problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have any questions about STIs and\/or symptoms \u2014\u00a0but can\u2019t get access to a primary care provider \u2014 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/doctors\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">consider seeing a primary care provider on Maple<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Primary care providers, including doctors and nurse practitioners, can talk to you about any symptoms you may have, offer advice on having safe sex or talking to a partner about STI testing, and help you find a place to go for testing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><i>The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the advice from your medical professional.<\/i><i><\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><i>When using virtual care, all medical treatment is at the sole discretion of the provider. Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies, and your provider will determine if your case is appropriate for virtual care. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulties breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), most people assume that sexual activity is the only way they can be contracted. However, the reality is more nuanced.\u00a0 Sexually transmitted infections are a public health concern in Canada \u2014 rates have been increasing steadily for decades. STIs can cause a variety of symptoms and lead&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[7377],"tags":[],"acf":{"image":{"ID":32967,"id":32967,"title":"std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483","filename":"std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483.jpg","filesize":773643,"url":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/can-you-have-an-sti-if-youve-never-been-sexually-active\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483\/","alt":"","author":"33","description":"","caption":"","name":"std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":32966,"date":"2024-10-31 20:26:00","modified":"2024-10-31 20:26:00","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1180,"height":483,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-300x123.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":123,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-768x314.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":314,"large":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-1024x419.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":419,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483.jpg","1536x1536-width":1180,"1536x1536-height":483,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483.jpg","2048x2048-width":1180,"2048x2048-height":483,"square1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483.jpg","square1200-width":1180,"square1200-height":483,"square600":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-600x483.jpg","square600-width":600,"square600-height":483,"square300":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-300x300.jpg","square300-width":300,"square300-height":300,"square200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-200x200.jpg","square200-width":200,"square200-height":200,"square100":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-100x100.jpg","square100-width":100,"square100-height":100,"feature1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483.jpg","feature1200-width":1180,"feature1200-height":483,"feature1100":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-1100x483.jpg","feature1100-width":1100,"feature1100-height":483,"feature800":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-800x400.jpg","feature800-width":800,"feature800-height":400,"feature400":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483-400x200.jpg","feature400-width":400,"feature400-height":200,"facebook1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483.jpg","facebook1200-width":1180,"facebook1200-height":483,"medium_retina":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483.jpg","medium_retina-width":1180,"medium_retina-height":483,"large_retina":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/std-not-sexually-active-group_1180x483.jpg","large_retina-width":1180,"large_retina-height":483}},"intro_text":"","meta_description":"","add_promotional_banner":false,"add_call_to_action":true,"call_to_action_text":"See a doctor","call_to_action_button_text":"Register","call_to_action_link":"[mpl-register-link]","show_age_gate":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.4 (Yoast SEO v18.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Can You Have an STI if You\u2019ve Never Been Sexually Active? - Maple<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Can you have an STI without being sexually active? 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