Sex with ‘trusted partner’ safest in Covid times: Docs

Nagpur: With increasing number of cases, many households have Covid-19 patients, either infected or recovered. Covid-19 restrictions have thrown many challenges, especially for couples struggling with 24X7 stay-at-home orders. On the other hand, some couples may be depressed because of distance, living apart due to health concerns or quarantine measures.
According to doctors, the best way to prevent Covid-19 is by avoiding close, physical contact, including sex, with anyone who doesn’t live with you.
Indian Medical Association (IMA) national headquarters has launched ‘Initiative on Sexual Health’. IMA national president Dr Rajan Sharma and honorary secretary general Dr Asokan, IMA HQ, New Delhi, have constituted a standing committee for the initiative. Dr Balasubramaniam from Chennai is its chairman while Dr Sanjay Deshpande from Nagpur is the convener.
In a meeting held on August 31, the committee decided about implementing ‘Doctor as a sex educator’ concept from this year.
“The field of sexual medicine is dominated by quacks. Hence, this year MBBS doctors will be trained by IMA’s expert panel in sexual medicine. IMA branches will educate and create awareness among parents and teachers on adolescence, puberty and its psychosocial effects and make everyone aware about child sexual abuse and its prevention,” said Dr Sanjay Deshpande.
“After almost six months of lockdown, many sexual habits might have changed,” he said. Doctors also answered some questions on sex life in Covid-19 times, which are and will become common with increasing number of cases in Maharashtra.
“For preventing the spread of Covid-19, the safest sex partners are those who already live with you and are at low risk of infection. If you and your partner are healthy and feeling well, staying at least 6 feet from other people outside the house, washing hands often, and wearing face masks or cloth face coverings in public settings, sex is likely to be safe,” said Dr Deshpande.
Sex in Covid-19 times: FAQs shared by experts
My partner and I both tested positive for Covid-19. Are we immune, and is it safe to have sex? Although the immune response to Covid-19 is not fully understood, there is some evidence of at least short-term protective immunity. It is likely safe for partners to have sex as long as you continue to follow preventive safety guidelines to protect yourself and others.
I think I had Covid-19 based on my symptoms but did not get tested. Is it safe to have sex?
If you think you had Covid-19 and recovered, you may go for antibody test. A positive result means you have antibodies that likely resulted from an infection. This means you and your partner are likely safe to have sex as long as you continue to follow preventive safety guidelines.
What if antibody test is negative?
It means you probably did not have a previous infection. However, you could have been very recently infected but antibodies don’t show up for 1-3 weeks after infection. In such case, wait to have sex until you are sure that you have recovered.
I tested positive for Covid-19 but have recovered. When can I have sex with my spouse/partner?
If you tested positive for Covid-19 and you have not had a test to determine if you are still contagious, it is not safe to have sex unless these three things have happened: (1) You have not had a fever for at least 72 hours (2) Other symptoms have improved and (3) 10 days have passed after symptoms first started. Only after all these three things have happened, you can be considered ‘recovered’ and safe to have sex with your partner.
I am an older adult and/or have underlying health conditions. What should I do about sex right now? If you are over 50 years of age and have one or more underlying health condition that puts you at risk for severe illness from Covid-19, you should be extra careful. Consider measures like avoiding kissing, and use face mask, condoms to reduce your contact with saliva.