07/04/2020
Sickness and s*x
All South African's should stay home and minimize contact with others to reduce the spread of
COVID-19.
But can you have s*x?
Here are some tips for how to enjoy s*x and to avoid spreading COVID-19.
1. Know how COVID-19 spreads.
• You can get COVID-19 from a person who has it.
o The virus can spread to people who are within about 2 meters of a person with
COVID-19 when that person coughs or sneezes.
o The virus can spread through direct contact with their saliva or mucus.
• We still have a lot to learn about COVID-19 and s*x.
o COVID-19 has been found in f***s of people who are infected with the virus.
o COVID-19 has not yet been found in semen or va**nal fluid.
o We know that other coronaviruses do not efficiently transmit through s*x.
2. Have s*x with people close to you.
• You are your safest s*x partner. Ma********on will not spread COVID-19, especially if you
wash your hands (and any s*x toys) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before
and after s*x.
• The next safest partner is someone you live with. Having close contact — including s*x
— with only a small circle of people helps prevent spreading COVID-19. Have s*x only
with consenting partners.
• You should avoid close contact — including s*x — with anyone outside your household.
If you do have s*x with others, have as few partners as possible.
• If you usually meet your s*x partners online or make a living by having s*x, consider
taking a break from in-person dates. Video dates, s*xting or chat rooms may be options
for you.
3. Take care during s*x.
• Kissing can easily pass COVID-19. Avoid kissing anyone who is not part of your small circle
of close contacts.
• Ri***ng (mouth on a**s) might spread COVID-19. Virus in f***s may enter your mouth.
• Condoms and dental dams can reduce contact with saliva or f***s, especially during oral
or a**l s*x.
• Washing up before and after s*x is more important than ever.
o Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
o Wash s*x toys with soap and warm water.
Disinfect keyboards and touch screens that you share with others (for video chat, for
watching po*******hy or for anything else).
4. Skip s*x if you or your partner is not feeling well.
• If you or a partner may have COVID-19, avoid s*x and 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 more severe COVID-19,
you may also want to skip s*x.
o Medical conditions include lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer or a
weakened immune system (for example, having unsuppressed HIV and a low CD4
count).
5. Prevent HIV, other s*xually 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 help prevent other STIs.
• Pregnancy: Make sure you have an effective form of birth control for the coming weeks.