|
|
The discussion of sexual safety in relation to the gay community is dominated
by HIV and its risks. HIV has loomed so large in our sexual health discussion
that safety has become synonymous with HIV prevention. Nonetheless, the risks
of acquiring other STIs need to be considered at the same time.
What follows is a brief description of a variety of common sexual practices
and what sexually transmitted infections may be acquired as a result.
| Kissing |
| |
A safe activity though it is possible to give or get syphilis and/or herpes if the sore or chancre is present. |
| Mutual masturbation |
| |
A small risk of transmitting gonorrhea and chlamydia if the cum or pre-cum of your partner is used as lubricant. |
| Watersports, golden showers |
| |
Urine is generally sterile and as such carries little risk of passing any STI. |
| Fisting |
| |
The tissue of the rectum is very thin and tender and so easily torn. It is
common for blood to be present in varying amounts during fisting. The presence
of blood increases the risk of passing any of the blood born viruses (HIV, hepatitis
B, hepatitis C). If the bottom is positive (for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis
C), the top has a risk of getting any of these through a cut in their hand or
arm. Wearing latex or non latex gloves will provide protection.
Remember most lubes used for fisting or “heavy anal play” are oil
based and will dissolve a latex condom or glove. Non-latex gloves are available.
Keep in mind, if you penetrate with your penis, oil based lube reduces the effectiveness
of latex condoms. Try to use a polyurethane or non-latex condom. Although the
top may be at less risk for HIV and other STIs, the risk is still considerable
during unprotected anal sex.
Hepatitis A is a risk due to contact with feces, even very small amounts (as
well as other gastro-intestinal parasites like shigella and giardia). |
| Rimming |
| |
The primary risk to the rimmer (the person doing the rimming) is getting hepatitis
A and other gastro-intestinal parasites like shigella and giardia.
HIV is not found in significant amounts in stool and the mouth offers significant
protection if the mucous membranes are intact, i.e. no open area, sores, bleeding
gums or sore throat. So remember to brush and floss after sex not before.
The rimmer and the rimmee (the receiver of the rimming) have some risk for
herpes and syphilis if the have an open area or sore present. |
| Oral sex |
| Getting a blow job: |
While getting oral sex is considered low risk with regards to HIV there are
other risks involved. Gonorrhea is easily passed from the back of one person's
throat to the urethra of another during a blow job (this risk can be eliminated
if you choose to wear a condom). Syphilis and herpes can be transmitted by skin-to-skin
contact; hence condoms provide some but not complete protection as the condom
usually does not cover the entire length of the penis. Condoms are still the
preferred choice for reducing risk.
| | Giving a blow job: |
Protected oral sex is safe with regards to HIV and gonorrhea. The presence of
syphilis and herpes may be difficult to notice. Both can be transmitted by skin
to skin contact. As with getting a blow job, diseases that pass skin-to-skin
can be transmitted even with condom use.
Unprotected oral sex is considered safer sex but some risk of HIV exists. That
risk is small. Some studies have suggested that as many as 5% of new HIV cases
may have been acquired during oral sex. As long as they are intact, the mucous
membranes of the mouth are an effective barrier to the HIV virus that may be
present in a partner's cum and pre-cum. Risk is increased if there are
open areas in the mouth, like a chancre or cold sore or bleeding gums or a sore
throat. That is why we recommend brushing and flossing your teeth after sex
not before. If someone cums in your mouth, spit or swallow as soon as possible.
Unprotected oral sex also has a risk for gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and hepatitis
B. Remember that having one STI increases the risk of getting another. So if
you are sexually active, take care of your sexual health and get tested regularly.
|
| Anal sex: |
| Top: |
Protected topping: anal sex, while safe in regards to HIV transmission, does have risks
of other STIs. Syphilis and herpes can be transmitted. Any symptoms of these
two infections in your partner's rectum (bum) may go unnoticed. Syphilis
and herpes are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Hence condoms provide some
but not complete protection as the condom usually does not cover the entire
length of the penis. HPV (warts) can also be transmitted in this way. Condoms
are still the preferred choice for reducing risk.
Unprotected topping:
Though the top's risk of acquiring HIV is less than the bottom's,
they remain considerable. Unprotected anal sex remains the primary way gay men
get HIV whether as a bottom or a top.
As well, it is thought that the recent increase in syphilis in gay men is attributable
to unprotected anal sex. An unprotected top is also at risk for gonorrhea, chlamydia,
herpes, HPV (warts) and hepatitis B.
| | Bottom: |
Protected:
Use of a condom provides good protection for the passive partner in anal sex.
There are, however, other STIs that remain a concern. Syphilis and herpes can
be transmitted if the sores or cankers are present on your partner's penis
and may even transmit when symptoms are not noticeable. Syphilis and herpes
are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact hence condoms provide some but not complete
protection as the condom usually does not cover the entire length of the penis.
HPV (warts) can also be transmitted in this way. Condoms are still the preferred
choice for reducing risk.
Unprotected:
The passive partner in anal sex is at the highest risk for all STIs: HIV, gonorrhea,
chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis B and HPV.
The tissues of the rectum are a favourable environment for all the bacteria
and viruses to grow or pass through to the blood stream.
|
Links
[ Kissing | Mutual Masturbation | Watersports | Rimming | Fisting | Oral Sex | Anal Sex ]
|
|
Why did you visit STDresource.com today?
|
