eg. What are ways to avoid getting all types of STD?

Is there any possible way to have contracted an STD without contracting it sexually?

Asked by on September 29, 2013

I know some of you will consider this a stupid question, but im just curious. A doctor did tell me that you can contract herpes and crabs through touching a towel or even a toilet seat that has been touched by someones infected area. Is it possible, since most STD’s are a form of bacteria, to catch things like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis from unsanitary bathrooms?

6

Answers


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BioGuy

September 29, 2013 at 2:24 pm

I test STD's for a living, the general consensus is that it is VERY difficult to get an STD from a dirty bathroom. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are all bacterial, herpes is a virus, crabs is a lot like head lice. I'd say the easiest to catch from a bathroom would be crabs (towel), maybe herpes, but unless you are rubbing your junk (guy) all over the seat, floors, or walls if would be VERY difficult to contract anything. Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular parasitic bacteria, meaning it has to be inside of a living cell to grow, and gonorrhea is anaerobic, so it dies very quickly after reaching the outside air (outside your urethra if you are a guy, or you vagina/cervix if you are a girl). Generally viruses don't last long exposed to the outside environment, but if i recall correctly herpes can withstand it for a while. If you think you have it, get tested so there is no chance of giving it to a partner. Good new though, all these STD but herpes can be cured, and even that can be treated effectively.

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