Health News
2006-01-21
Receiving oral
sex can lead to common STD
Bacteria and
viruses in the mouth can be transmitted during oral sex.
Previous research
has shown t
Previous research
has shown that while performing oral sex on a man
carried some risk of sexually transmitted disease, receiving
oral sex was relatively safe. However, a new study in
the February 1 issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases shows that men who
receive oral sex may be at increased risk for
nongonococcal urethritis, one of the most common
sexually transmitted diseases.
NGU is a
condition marked by any infection of the urethra caused by a
virus or bacteria other than gonorrhea. Studies have
previously shown that putting unsterilized foreign
objects into the urethra as well as unprotected
insertive anal or vaginal sex are risk factors for the
condition. Men who receive penile piercings also are at risk
for NGU.
The new study
shows that several strains of bacteria, adenoviruses, and
the herpes simplex-1 virus that causes cold sores can be
transmitted from the mouth of one male to the urethra
of another during oral sex. Any of these pathogens can
lead to NGU, the researchers say. Receiving oral sex
also was associated with NGU when no specific pathogen was
detected, suggesting there are other causes of the STD
that have not yet been identified, according to the
Australian researchers.
NGU typically
causes a burning sensation during urination and a discharge
from the tip of the penis. Because most NGU cases are caused
by a bacterial infection, notably chlamydia and
ureaplasma urealyticum, the STD can usually be treated
with antibiotics. (Advocate.com)
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