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Safer Sex in Times of COVID-19
Safer Sex in Times of COVID-19 below is from American Sexual Health Association "At a time when people everywhere are confined their homes due COVID-19, looking for ways stay entertained, the question is—can I still have sex? Is it safe? In short—yes, you can still have sex, but with precautions. What do we know right now? This is a respiratory disease, so direct contact with saliva can transmit the virus. While COVID-19 has not yet been found in semen or vaginal fluid, it has been found in feces of people who are infected. As always, condoms and dental dams can reduce the risk and reduce contact with saliva and feces during anal and oral sex or oral/anal contact. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has offered some excellent guidance on safer sex during these times, which you can read in full here. But here are a few basic tips from NYC Health on how to enjoy sex and to avoid spreading COVID-19: You are your safest sex partner. Masturbation will not spread COVID-19, especially if you wash your hands (and any sex toys) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after sex. The next safest partner is someone you live with.Having close contact—including sex—with only a small circle of people helps prevent spreading COVID-19. You should avoid close contact—including sex—with anyone outside your household. If you do have sex with others, have as few partners as possible. If you usually meet your sex partners online or make a living by having sex, consider taking a break from in-person dates. Video dates, sexting or chat rooms may be options for you. ASHA expert H. Hunter Handsfield also offers some good summary advice: “We would strongly recommend sexually active persons be very selective in their sexual partnerships, attention partners’ health, and limit new partnerships the fewest possible. The lowest sexual risk of course will exist for mutually monogamous couples.” For couples from whom pregnancy is a concern, don’t forget contraception as well. Once again, condoms (both internal and external) can fill that role, and telemedicine options are available as well, if you can’t venture out a clinic or pharmacy. Stay safe! Above from American Sexual Health Association below from New York City Health Department Also "Here are some tips for how enjoy sex and avoid spreading COVID-19. 1. Know how COVID-19 spreads. You can get COVID-19 from a person who has it. The virus can spread people who are within about 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 when that person coughs or sneezes. The virus can spread through direct contact with their saliva or mucus. We still have a lot learn about COVID-19 and sex. COVID-19 has been found in feces of people who are infected with the virus. COVID-19 has not yet been found in semen or vaginal fluid. We know that other coronaviruses do not efficiently transmit through sex. 2. Have sex with people close you. You are your safest sex partner. Masturbation will not spread COVID-19, especially if you wash your hands (and any sex toys) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after sex. The next safest partner is someone you live with. Having close contact — including sex— with only a small circle of people helps prevent spreading COVID-19. Have sex only with consenting partners. You should avoid close contact — including sex — with anyone outside your household. If you do have sex with others, have as few partners as possible. If you usually meet your sex partners online or make a living by having sex, consider taking a break from in-person dates. Video dates, sexting or chat rooms may be options for you. 3. Take care during sex. Kissing can easily pass COVID-19. Avoid kissing anyone who is not part of your small circle of close contacts. Rimming (mouth on anus) might spread COVID-19. Virus in feces may enter your mouth. Condoms and dental dams can reduce contact with saliva or feces, especially during oral or anal sex. Washing up before and after sex is more important than ever. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Wash sex toys with soap and warm water. Disinfect keyboards and touch screens that you share with others (for video chat, for watching pornography or for anything else). 4. Skip sex if you or your partner is not feeling well. If you or a partner may have COVID-19, avoid sex and especially kissing. If you start to feel unwell, you may be about to develop symptoms of COVID- 19, which include fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath. If you or your partner has a medical condition that can lead to more severe COVID-19, you may also want to skip sex. Medical conditions include lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer or a weakened immune system (for example, having unsuppressed HIV and a low CD4 count)." Above from New York City Health Department |
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