1 of 10

SEX & COVID-19: GET THE FACTS

Presented by: Marshun Redmond

March 27, 2020

2 of 10

We are encouraging everyone to physically distance themselves from others and minimize contact with others outside your home to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We also recognize the importance of sex for many people and that some may continue to have sex with others outside their household. Here are some ways to stay safer and reduce your risk of contracting and spreading illness during sex.

​

3 of 10

How does COVID-19 Spread?

  • You can get COVID-19 from a person who has it.
    • COVID-19 is a virus that can spread when you are within six feet of a person with COVID-19 who coughs or sneezes.
    • It is also spread by direct contact with saliva or mucus.
  • There’s much left to learn about COVID-19 and sex.
    • It has been found in feces of people who have the virus.
  • It has not yet been found in semen or vaginal fluid.
  • We know that other types of viruses do not efficiently transmit through sex.

​

4 of 10

Have sex with people close to 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, which includes sex, with a small circle of people helps slow the spread COVID-19 says NY HD
  • You should avoid close contact, including sex, with anyone outside your household. BUT If you do have sex with others outside your household, have as few partners as possible, make sure you remember PEP, condoms, etc
  • If you 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 safer options for you and your community. Follow the DC /MD Stay @ Home Order

​

5 of 10

Take additional care during sex.

  • Kissing can easily pass COVID-19. Avoid kissing anyone who is not part of your small circle of close contacts.
  • Avoid rimming (mouth on anus) as this 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, which helps prevent the spread of the virus.
  • Washing up with soap and water before and after sex is more important than ever.
    • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
    • Wash sex toys with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
    • Disinfect keyboards and touch screens that you share with others (for video chat, watching pornography, or anything else).

​

6 of 10

Skip sex if you or your partner aren’t feeling well.

  • If you or a partner may have COVID-19, avoid sex, 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 severe illness from COVID-19, you may also want to consider skipping sex.
    • Medical conditions that can lead to severe complications with COVID-19 include lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer or a weakened immune system.

​

7 of 10

Don’t forget to take the usual steps to prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy.

  • HIV: Condoms, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and having an undetectable viral load all help prevent HIV.
  • Other STIs: Condoms can help prevent other STIs.
  • Pregnancy: If you or a partner have the ability to get pregnant, please have an effective form of birth control on hand for the coming weeks.

​

8 of 10

Key Take A Way’s:

  • Do your best to not have sex with anyone outside of your household, to reduce transmission. buttttt if you do
  • Condoms and dental dams can reduce risk of transmission.
  • Masturbation does not spread COVID, and is your safest form of sex.
  • Wash up before and after sex (including masturbation). 
  • Remember that kissing can easily pass COVID-19.
  • It may be a good idea to consider phone or video dates and sex as an acceptable alternative to in-person hookups. Those are safe for everything, except possibly your phone bill.
  • f you're close enough to have sex, you're close enough to be exposed to COVID-19 and physically distance yourself
  • WWH is still here for PrEP / PEPE & we have a COVID line questions emails RAMA

​

9 of 10

Disclaimer:

If you, someone you live with, or someone you are involved with has symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, including coughing, fever, or shortness of breath, you should take a timeout. No dating. No sex. Instead, you should call your doctor, ask if testing is appropriate, and figure out whether (and how) you should be seen.

10 of 10

Resources:

​