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What Are The Chances Of STD Transmission By Skin To Skin Contact?
Question: Doctor I had recently gone into a club and met with several women who I later came to know were prostitutes. I had shook hands with many of them and talked to some of them and because of the loud music they had to come close to my face to talk so there was some cheek to cheek or lip to cheek contact. Also I may have touched some of them on the hand or other outer body parts just like a normal person may do in a crowded place (no sexual activity of any kind happenned). Is there even a minute risk of herpes or other STDs that are permanent in nature? Also, can I, for now, shake hands with another person, share food or water bottle etc.? I am worried about if I can go out at all? Please help.
Brief Answer:
You are safe
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have taken note of your query and I have understood your concern
There is no risk of any STD, whatsoever, just from shaking hands Or skin to skin contact of the nature that you mention.
The only way one can acquire an STD is by direct sexual contact i.e vaginal, anal Or oral sex with an infected sexual partner.
You can safely go about with your routine activities as normal as before.
Regards
You are safe
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have taken note of your query and I have understood your concern
There is no risk of any STD, whatsoever, just from shaking hands Or skin to skin contact of the nature that you mention.
The only way one can acquire an STD is by direct sexual contact i.e vaginal, anal Or oral sex with an infected sexual partner.
You can safely go about with your routine activities as normal as before.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Doctor I have, maybe wrongly, read over the internet that diseases like herpes can be spread by skin-to-skin contact. Is that a specific type of contact which is different from what I had experienced? Could you please elaborate? Also, even if a person had herpes, can that person be in general public and shake hands, touch people, share food, drink from the same water bottle?
Brief Answer:
Herpes only gets transmitted by direct contact and not by sharing objects
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Genital herpes is only transmitted by direct/ intimate sexual contact with an infected sexual partner with genital herpes. This possibility is out of context in your case.
Similarly, oro-labial herpes is usually transmitted by direct forms of contacts such as mouth to mouth kissing and oral sex with someone who has oro labial herpes.
However, mere lip to cheek touching is not enough to innoculate this virus on intact skin of cheek.
There is no way the virus gets transmitted by shaking hands or sharing food or objects such as water bottles etc
regards
Herpes only gets transmitted by direct contact and not by sharing objects
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Genital herpes is only transmitted by direct/ intimate sexual contact with an infected sexual partner with genital herpes. This possibility is out of context in your case.
Similarly, oro-labial herpes is usually transmitted by direct forms of contacts such as mouth to mouth kissing and oral sex with someone who has oro labial herpes.
However, mere lip to cheek touching is not enough to innoculate this virus on intact skin of cheek.
There is no way the virus gets transmitted by shaking hands or sharing food or objects such as water bottles etc
regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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