Deep romance can be deadly
Jan 09, 2009
NON-COITAL sexual activity can be as infective as penile-vagina intercourse if certain precautions are not taken.
NON-COITAL sexual activity can be as infective as penile-vagina intercourse if certain precautions are not taken.
According to a report, published in last year’s issue of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, couples, who engage in deep romance without involving the penis, hoping to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy, may still remain at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases.
Non-coital sexual behaviours, which include mutual masturbation, oral and anal sex, are common expressions of sexuality. And most individuals engaging in oral sex are unlikely to use barrier protection. However, the report says, sexually transmitted diseases may be spread through saliva, blood, vaginal secretions, semen, and faecal matter, especially in the presence of pre-existing infections, open sores or other lesions.
HIV transmission remains likely especially when the partner(s) have high HIV viral load. It is most likely with receptive rather than insertive activities, and is five-fold greater with receptive anal sex than receptive vaginal sex.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) is usually associated with mouth wounds and HSV-2 with genital wounds.
However, both types can infect oral, anal, and genital sites. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly prevalent, sexually transmitted virus that can cause cancers in the genitals, anus and mouth as well as genital warts. Transmission is less efficient to the mouth than it is to the genitals.
Hepatitis B virus is commonly spread through non-coital sexual activities, as it is found in semen, saliva, and faeces.
Hepatitis A is transmitted via faecal contamination of the oral cavity and is more common in men who like kissing anal regions. Although sexual transmission of Hepatitis C virus is uncommon, it may occur if the person already has Hepatitis B virus and HIV infection and engages in oral-genital contact.
Non-viral STDs associated with non-coital sexual activities include syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia, and there have been a few case reports of chancroid, shigellosis, and salmonellosis.
Therefore, people who have known positive partners should avoid some level of deep romance. Consistent and correct condom use should be encouraged. And partners should endeavour to reduce STD risk factors such as multiple partners because discouraging oral sex may not be feasible for many couples.
Other risk reduction strategies may include abstinence, mutual monogamy, engaging in relatively safer behaviours and STD testing before initiating sexual activity with a new partner. All sexually active women 25 years or younger should be screened annually for chlamydia, and all sexually-active adolescents should be screened for gonorrhoea.
Lesbians and bisexual women should also be screened for STDs.
“Great efforts are needed to educate people about the health risks of non-coital sexual activities and the importance of risk reduction and barrier methods of protection,†the report concluded.
Obstet Gynecol. 2008
According to a report, published in last year’s issue of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, couples, who engage in deep romance without involving the penis, hoping to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy, may still remain at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases.
Non-coital sexual behaviours, which include mutual masturbation, oral and anal sex, are common expressions of sexuality. And most individuals engaging in oral sex are unlikely to use barrier protection. However, the report says, sexually transmitted diseases may be spread through saliva, blood, vaginal secretions, semen, and faecal matter, especially in the presence of pre-existing infections, open sores or other lesions.
HIV transmission remains likely especially when the partner(s) have high HIV viral load. It is most likely with receptive rather than insertive activities, and is five-fold greater with receptive anal sex than receptive vaginal sex.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) is usually associated with mouth wounds and HSV-2 with genital wounds.
However, both types can infect oral, anal, and genital sites. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly prevalent, sexually transmitted virus that can cause cancers in the genitals, anus and mouth as well as genital warts. Transmission is less efficient to the mouth than it is to the genitals.
Hepatitis B virus is commonly spread through non-coital sexual activities, as it is found in semen, saliva, and faeces.
Hepatitis A is transmitted via faecal contamination of the oral cavity and is more common in men who like kissing anal regions. Although sexual transmission of Hepatitis C virus is uncommon, it may occur if the person already has Hepatitis B virus and HIV infection and engages in oral-genital contact.
Non-viral STDs associated with non-coital sexual activities include syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia, and there have been a few case reports of chancroid, shigellosis, and salmonellosis.
Therefore, people who have known positive partners should avoid some level of deep romance. Consistent and correct condom use should be encouraged. And partners should endeavour to reduce STD risk factors such as multiple partners because discouraging oral sex may not be feasible for many couples.
Other risk reduction strategies may include abstinence, mutual monogamy, engaging in relatively safer behaviours and STD testing before initiating sexual activity with a new partner. All sexually active women 25 years or younger should be screened annually for chlamydia, and all sexually-active adolescents should be screened for gonorrhoea.
Lesbians and bisexual women should also be screened for STDs.
“Great efforts are needed to educate people about the health risks of non-coital sexual activities and the importance of risk reduction and barrier methods of protection,†the report concluded.
Obstet Gynecol. 2008