Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are usually passed from person to person through sexual intercourse. For this reason, there is a common notion that people who do not engage in any sexual activity are safe from catching STDs. As such, most virgins do not feel the need to undergo STD testing in Singapore.
However, is there truth to this popular belief? Is a person safe from getting an STD when they are a virgin or have not had genital-to-genital contact with others? Read on to understand more about STDs and why it is wrong to believe these diseases do not affect those who do not engage in sex.
Can virgins get STDs?
The simple answer is yes. Virgins can still catch STDs. First, it is essential to emphasise that losing virginity can mean various things to various people. For instance, many agree that men and women lose their virginity after penetrating sexual intercourse. On the contrary, others believe that anal and oral intercourse can also mean a loss of virginity.
In other words, the concept of virginity is very subjective and must not be used as a replacement for getting tested for STDs. While STDs are mostly contracted through unprotected anal or vaginal sexual intercourse, you need to be aware that regardless of using contraceptives or abstaining from sex, you can still catch STDs in other ways.
Ways to Catch STDs Without Having Sex
As mentioned earlier, STDs can be spread in several ways other than genital-to-genital intercourse. For example, it is possible to catch mononucleosis and herpes just from kissing someone with these diseases. Aside from kissing, oral sexual intercourse, which many people do not consider “sex” due to a lack of genital contact, can expose a person to HPV, genital herpes, and oral chlamydia.
If you live with several other people in one house, you should avoid sharing unclean clothes, towels, and sheets because these items can harbour single-celled protozoan parasites. For instance, trichomonas vaginalis, a parasite that can cause trichomoniasis, can be transmitted through bathing suits and damp towels. All of these are common ways for STDs to spread, even in the absence of sexual contact.
The Importance of STD Screening
Regardless of whether they have had sexual contact, all men and women must have full STD screening before they engage in sexual intercourse. STD tests in Singapore can detect the most common STDs transmitted in various ways.
Many STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and HIV, can be severe or fatal if left untreated. Hence, whether you are sexually active or a virgin, you need to undergo STD testing to ensure that you are completely healthy in the physical, mental, and sexual aspects.
Conclusion
Overall, although having unprotected sexual intercourse is the most common way to catch an STD, this does not necessarily mean that those who have not yet tried engaging in sex are 100% safe from STDs. Still, the best way to ensure you are safe and free from STDs is to undergo regular STD testing.
For the best and most reliable STD screening tests, Elyon Clinic is the STD clinic in Singapore that you can trust! We provide accurate and confidential STD tests and checkups for all patients who are worried about their sexual health. To ensure that you are free from any STD, whether you are sexually active or not, do not hesitate to book an appointment with us by dropping us a call at 6802 7208.
