What is the latest research regarding sexual transmission of COVID-19?
What is the latest research regarding sexual transmission of COVID-19?
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There have been no documented cases of sexual transmission. Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 can not spread from person to person through bodily fluids that are not respiratory functions like talking, coughing and sneezing. Some confusion around this could be because traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 were found in the semen samples of 6 out of 38 men who provided samples in a research study. According to the study, four of the six men were still infected, while two were recovering. This does not mean that COVID-19 is sexually transmitted. Traces of the virus have also been found in other bodily fluids and stool samples, but studies have shown negative COVID-19 detection in semen samples in both late-stage COVID-19 patients and recovering COVID-19 patients. However, sexual contact does carry a high risk with regards to COVID-19 transmission between partners through respiratory secretions, not semen.
There have been no documented cases of sexual transmission. Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 can not spread from person to person through bodily fluids that are not respiratory functions like talking, coughing and sneezing. Some confusion around this could be because traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 were found in the semen samples of 6 out of 38 men who provided samples in a research study. According to the study, four of the six men were still infected, while two were recovering. This does not mean that COVID-19 is sexually transmitted. Traces of the virus have also been found in other bodily fluids and stool samples, but studies have shown negative COVID-19 detection in semen samples in both late-stage COVID-19 patients and recovering COVID-19 patients. However, sexual contact does carry a high risk with regards to COVID-19 transmission between partners through respiratory secretions, not semen.
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What our experts say
There have been no documented cases of sexual transmission. Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 can not spread from person to person through bodily fluids that are not respiratory functions like talking, coughing and sneezing. Some confusion around this could be because traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 were found in the semen samples of 6 out of 38 men who provided samples in a research study. According to the study, four of the six men were still infected, while two were recovering. This does not mean that COVID-19 is sexually transmitted. Traces of the virus have also been found in other bodily fluids and stool samples, but studies have shown negative COVID-19 detection in semen samples in both late-stage COVID-19 patients and recovering COVID-19 patients. However, sexual contact does carry a high risk with regards to COVID-19 transmission between partners through respiratory secretions, not semen.
There have been no documented cases of sexual transmission. Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 can not spread from person to person through bodily fluids that are not respiratory functions like talking, coughing and sneezing. Some confusion around this could be because traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 were found in the semen samples of 6 out of 38 men who provided samples in a research study. According to the study, four of the six men were still infected, while two were recovering. This does not mean that COVID-19 is sexually transmitted. Traces of the virus have also been found in other bodily fluids and stool samples, but studies have shown negative COVID-19 detection in semen samples in both late-stage COVID-19 patients and recovering COVID-19 patients. However, sexual contact does carry a high risk with regards to COVID-19 transmission between partners through respiratory secretions, not semen.
Context and background
There are a number of different ways that viruses can be transmitted. Some viruses can spread through physical contact or touch, through bodily fluids such as the exchange of saliva, or through the air. Other viruses might be transmitted through bites from ticks or mosquitos, who carry the virus, or through food and water that are contaminated. Some other viruses can be shared through sexual contact, or by sharing needles that have been contaminated by bodily fluids.
There are a number of different ways that viruses can be transmitted. Some viruses can spread through physical contact or touch, through bodily fluids such as the exchange of saliva, or through the air. Other viruses might be transmitted through bites from ticks or mosquitos, who carry the virus, or through food and water that are contaminated. Some other viruses can be shared through sexual contact, or by sharing needles that have been contaminated by bodily fluids.
Resources
- Clinical Characteristics and Results of Semen Tests Among Men With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (JAMA)
- No evidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 in semen of males recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (Fertility and Sterility)
- Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in Semen of Patients in the Acute Stage of COVID-19 Infection (Urologia Internationalis)
- Semen Does Not Cause Additional Risk for SARS-CoV-2 Transmission during Sexual Contact (Urologia Internationalis)
- Clinical Characteristics and Results of Semen Tests Among Men With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (JAMA)
- No evidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 in semen of males recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (Fertility and Sterility)
- Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in Semen of Patients in the Acute Stage of COVID-19 Infection (Urologia Internationalis)
- Semen Does Not Cause Additional Risk for SARS-CoV-2 Transmission during Sexual Contact (Urologia Internationalis)
