Can You Get an STD Even if Neither Partner Has One?
STDs don’t appear out of thin air. Though STDs are very common, there are only a few ways that most STDs can spread. In other words, the only way to get an STD is from someone else. STDs don’t manifest in the human body naturally. So if you’re in a relationship, can you get an STD even if neither partner has one? The short answer is no: you can’t get an STD from having sex with someone who doesn’t have one. The long answer is a bit more complicated. We’ll explain here:
How Are STDs Spread?
As mentioned above, there are only a few ways that STDs spread. In almost all instances, STDs are transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex. (This includes sexual contact.) In addition, some STDs –– like herpes –– can spread through skin-to-skin contact, like kissing or genital rubbing. Also, some STDs can spread through the transference of blood. Therefore, individuals who share needles are at risk for contracting hepatitis B or HIV. Lastly, STDs can spread from a mother to their child during birth.
I Have an STD. Did My Partner Cheat on Me?
Noticing the signs and symptoms of common STDs is bad in any situation. Noticing them when you’re in a committed relationship is even worse. Yet, it’s worth noting that just because your partner gave you an STD, it doesn’t necessarily mean they cheated on you. It’s possible they contracted an STD before your relationship started and unknowingly spread it to you later. In fact, STDs can remain asymptomatic for weeks or even months at a time. And a huge number of people who have STDs don’t even know it. The only way to know for sure that you’re STD-free is to get tested on a regular basis.
My Partner Cheated on Me. Do I Need to Get Tested?
On the other hand, if you know that either you or your partner has been unfaithful, then it’s key for both of you to get tested for all STDs. It only takes one encounter to contract/transmit an STD. Even if STDs remain asymptomatic or symptoms disappear over time, it does not mean that you’re no longer at risk. Just the opposite, really. Over time, STDs can cause a variety of dangerous conditions like PID, infertility, nerve damage, and, in some instances, death. Plus, contracting one STD could make you more likely to get other STDs later. That’s why it’s crucial to get tested and treated for STDs as soon as possible.
Leave a reply
I had unprotected oral sex with a guy and he has been mentioning that he is oral negative and test negative for std so do i still have a risk of getting it?
ReplyWhile your partner has mentioned that they are oral negative and have tested negative for STDs, it’s still important to remember that no sexual activity is entirely risk-free. Unprotected oral sex can transmit some STDs, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes. However, if your partner is indeed negative for STDs, the risk of transmission is significantly lower.
It’s always a good idea to get tested regularly for STDs, especially if you’re sexually active with multiple partners or have had any unprotected sexual encounters. Regular testing helps to ensure your own health and the health of your partners. Additionally, using barrier protection like condoms or dental dams can further reduce the risk of transmitting STDs during oral sex.
ReplyI took a test in 2022 and I was negative for everything. But I took a test in February of this year and I’m positive for chlamydia. I only have one partner and he’s the same partner from 2022. So if I was negative in 2022 that means was he because we always have unprotected sex. I just want to know if he cheated on me. Because I know that chlamydia didn’t just spawn from the air.
ReplyYou are correct, chlamydia does not spawn from the air! Did your partner also test, and test negative at the same time you did? Another question would be the tests themselves since lower quality tests unfortunately more had false negative results. Assuimng your tests were the newest, state of the art, highly reliable results type like ours; you both tested negative at the time time, then unfortunately your other conclusion is also accurate.
ReplyI want to let a girl give me oral, I’ve never had an std in my life and she’s never slept or done anything with anyone as she’s a virgin
What is the risk of getting an std? I’ve always been concerned about std and I get checked every 6 months or so and I’m clear but is it still possible to get an std if she’s a virgin?
ReplyAny sexual contact carries a risk of contracting an STD, even when one of the partners is a virgin. While the risk is lower if your partner is a virgin, there is still a possibility of contracting an STD due to contact with infected skin or fluids, even without direct intercourse. It is important to practice safe sex and use a barrier method such as a condom to reduce the risk of contracting an STD. Additionally, it is important to get tested regularly, even if you have not had any sexual contact with a new partner.
ReplyIf we both don’t have any stds but did anal sex changed the condom the vaginal sex can we create an std?
ReplyYes, it is possible to contract an STD through anal or vaginal sex, even if both partners do not have any STDs and you used protection, good job. It is important to use a new condom for each sexual act, as well as practice safe sex, in order to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading an STD. You can still contract an STD through exposure to body fluids so it is important to get tested regularly.
ReplyMe and my girlfriend had unprotected period sex. We’ve only had sex with eachother, so we do not have Std’s or Sti’s. Can we possibly get a Std or a STI from having unprotected period sex? And also can her blood infect my penis.
ReplyAbsolutely, period sex is just as much a risk of STI’s as any other time during her monthly cycle. Exposure to bodily fluids are exactly how transmission can occur, regardless of period timing. While some STI’s do have what are called “incubation time”, we can get you setup quickly and help you both!
Replyif my partner doesnt have a std and i have no symptoms does that mean i dont either
ReplyThe only way to know for sure is to get tested. We’ve had patients with no symptoms at all test and find out in fact that they do have STD’s. Sometimes people just ignore them thinking it’s something else and with mind symptoms can get accustomed to dealing with it. They are infecting their partners, regardless of their symptoms, if any! I had a friend who swore his “soreness” was normal, he’d had it a long time. Turned out after testing, and treatment that soreness was cleared up after years of ignoring it!
ReplyHello, my partner and I are in a monogamous relationship and have been together for almost 3 years. We’ve been having Unprotected Anal Sex (a lot) and and Unprotected Sex during my Menstrual Cycle as well. My partner and I have just gone to the doctor and been tested positve with Chlamydia despite not sleeping with anyone else. I’ve seen 2 GP’s already and they both said the same thing “You can ONLY get it from someone who has the infection”. Could we have contracted STI (Chlamydia) through our unprotected sexual activities? Or could we both be lying about being faithful to each other? Please help, as this has caused a bit of a rift in our relationship.
Thank you,
ReplyVee
Great question and we completely understand your concerns. Your prior physician comments are correct, it’s an infection. And just like the common cold, you only get it from someone that’s infected.
As for the source of the infection, let’s start with timing. Were you both tested prior to have your first sexual encounter almost 3 years ago? I ask, because Chlamydia and other STD’s can be present without any symptoms especially for women. You could have been infected prior to your current relationship and never known. If you weren’t tested, you can’t be sure on your partner being failthful or not. Then maybe, again because you were infected.
Now if you still have no symptoms, and he does all of the sudden, then it maybe a new exposure. Typically if people are going to have symptoms it’s right after the infections incubation period not years later. Most importantly, you both need to get treated now that you have it AND follow up testing to confirm it’s gone. Also, ensure you both get an take the full treatment, we hear people “sharing” their medications and that’s always a fail. One script, one person.
Having the follow up test will also make clear any future outbreaks.
ReplySo me and my gf had unprotected sex and when I pulled out I noticed a lil blood on her vagina, like spots as if I tear her, does that mean std or ?
ReplyWithout more information, that certainly has a similar description to a HSV outbreak. Sores, bumps, blood and “pimples” can all be indicators of an active HSV outbreak which definitely is transmissable. Have someone review your symptoms and get tested today! While Herpes Simplex Virus is not curable, by anything including false claimaints of “herbal remedy”, it can be treated and managed easily.
Reply